Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child: The Complete Guide to the Development, Treatment, and Parenting of Children with Bipolar Disorder (Paperback)

by Gregory T. Lombardo M.D. Ph.D (Author) "Bipolar disorder is a manageable condition, one that is more manageable the earlier it is recognized and the more comprehensively it is treated..." (more)
Key Phrases: other consumption disorders, accompany bipolar disorder, bipolar disposition, Steven's Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, Erik Erikson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Psychiatric Times review, reviewed by Amy E. West, PhD, May 1st, 2007

Childhood bipolar disorder is a devastating illness that affects emotional, social, and cognitive development. In recent years, increased attention devoted to the study of bipolar disorder in childhood has resulted in greater information regarding the cause, phenomenology, and treatment of the disorder. However, despite improved understanding and awareness, the diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children is still plagued by confusion and misunderstanding because of the complex and diverse presentations of the condition, difficulties in diagnosis, and overlap with other disorders.

The aim of Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child is to provide a comprehensive overview of bipolar disorder in childhood, including diagnosis, developmental issues, common co-occurring disorders, and treatment options. What is most unique about this book, in comparison with others that discuss diagnostic issues and treatments, is that it focuses on considering bipolar disorder within a developmental framework, informed mostly by psychodynamic principles. The emphasis on development leaves the reader with a comprehensive and integrated notion of how symptoms of bipolar disorder interact dynamically with other personal characteristics and contextual variables of the child in affecting his or her developmental trajectory.

The book is divided into 3 parts: "Diagnosis," "Development," and "Treatment." Part I focuses on the complexities of diagnosing bipolar disorder in children. The author outlines clearly the types of symptoms that suggest a bipolar spectrum disorder and then discusses the different types of bipolar disorder. A strength of this section is the attention paid to the complications encountered when diagnosing bipolar disorder, including different sources of information, the varying spectrum of the disorder, the varying age at onset, and overlapping conditions.

Part II, the longest and most involved section, undertakes a comprehensive exploration of bipolar disorder within the developmental context of the individual child. This section is organized into the developmental periods of infancy, toddlerhood, school age, preadolescence, early adolescence, adolescence, and late adolescence. For each stage, the important developmental milestones that are optimally achieved are discussed, as well as crucial transitions that the child must negotiate during each stage.

The author impressively integrates information about normative development, individual differences, interpersonal relationships, and identity issues into a fluid and thoughtful account of the development of a bipolar spectrum illness over the course of childhood and adolescence. Concepts are illustrated using detailed case examples and formulations that help the reader integrate and consolidate the information presented. Part II concludes with a detailed explanation of disorders that commonly accompany bipolar disorder and how the co-occurrence may affect development, prognosis, and treatment.

Part III discusses the various treatment options available to children with bipolar disorder and their families. Different kinds of providers are discussed, as well as the types of therapy (individual, group, and family) that are used and how these therapies work to alleviate the suffering of children with bipolar disorder and their families.

This book is highly recommended as an excellent resource for parents of patients and for health care professionals who work with children and families affected by bipolar disorder. In particular, the book will benefit those who want to understand the disorder's emergence within a comprehensive developmental framework.

 

 

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Help and hope for parents of children who suffer from this prevalent and puzzling disorder

Bipolar disorder has an impact not only on children’s mood and behavior but on the way they experience the world, and consequently on the way they think. The intensity with which a bipolar child perceives things can be the source of creativity and talent, but it can also be a source of confusion and disorganization. If parents can understand the effects of bipolar disorder on their child, they can help him or her to better navigate school, friendships, and family relationships.
Dr. Lombardo provides comprehensive information on:
Professional diagnosis
Developmental issues
Disorders that go hand-in-hand with bipolar, including ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder
Effective treatment – including psychotherapy and medication
Understanding the Mind of the Bipolar Child is essential reading for all parents who want to better understand their child and provide support every step of the way.

Gregory T. Lombardo, M.D., Ph.D., is board certified in adult psychiatry, as well as in child and adolescent psychiatry, and is a diplomate of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He is highly trained and experienced in the treatment of children with bipolar disorder. His practice includes biological diagnosis, clinical psychopharmacology, and psychotherapeutic techniques. He also collaborates closely with psychologists and other therapists in the treatment on children with this disorder. Additionally, he has a background in teaching and writing literature at the college and secondary-school level.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312358903
• ISBN-13: 978-0312358907
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #231,118 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bipolar Disorder: SPRING., November 26, 2006

By	AdderallThereIz? "Benzin...jaaaaa....." (Tha 203) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child: The Complete Guide to the Development, Treatment, and Parenting of Children with Bipolar Disorder (Hardcover)

This book provides an outstanding, fully diagnostic view on what the bipolar child experiences during said childhood. It also provides parents, various interested peoples, family friends and so on, what signs of bipolar disorder to look for in your child (provided you/ those otherwise concerned) are concerned that there IS something that differentiates your child from the rest. This text provides the most up to date information regarding bipolar disorder in children, including a glossary of mood vs. personality disorders, as well as listing the current, most well-regarded medications, their side effects -and especially notably, their side effects in children vs. adults, and what the main goal the medication aims to assist.

Dr. Lombardo weaves interesting vignettes about patients he has encountered along his course as a psychiatrist. These vignettes are quite helpful to the lay person who might still struggle to understand bipolar disorder, as they are all true stories of real patients and their experience as a person who suffers from bipolar disorder. They are clearly written. Entirely to the point. And, most importantly, they bring the "ball" of bipolar disorder together.

Compared to its counterpart, the Bipolar Child, this text is only the second book on the market to truly focus on bipolar disorder in children. I believe it to be the best text on bipolar disorder in children because you do not need to be a doctor to read this, yet any professional in the medical community and those who are not versed at all in mood, or more broadly, mental disorders, will benefit GREATLY from reading this book. I found it to be quite profound, thoughtful and, especially, descriptive of this mental disorder.

Dr. Lombardo clearly understands the disorder and he has an especially unique ability to observe children, bringing out the strings that eventually knot into the ball called bipolar disorder, and put it on paper to share humanity. If you have any sense that your child behaves differently from other children, pick up this text, read the first few pages, and you'll know if you're in the right territory.

:) :) :)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parent/Educator, December 27, 2006

By	D. Slonim - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child: The Complete Guide to the Development, Treatment, and Parenting of Children with Bipolar Disorder (Hardcover)

I?m a parent that tackles family problems with books, support groups, therapy, whatever it takes. I read Dr. Lombardo?s book only 6 months or so into the diagnosis of bipolar disorder for my 13 year old son, after the nightmarish depressions, poor and nasty psychiatrists, after reading 4 books -- The Bipolar Child (twice), Acquainted with the Night, Jamison?s book (can?t remember the name), and some other book on alternative therapies for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses, and after spending countless hours talking to parents online and learning about meds, side effects, behavioral issues.

As a single parent, with an MA and a PhD in fields of psychology and education, I can honestly tell you that I learned quite a bit from Dr. Lombardo?s book. Here?s what I found?.

The perspective Dr. Lombardo has on child development as a teacher, psychiatrist, and one who has suffered from bipolar disorder greatly enhances, and lends credibility to his ability to differentially diagnose typical and atypical behaviors in children. Furthermore, the information on the differential diagnosis of ADHD versus BP from the neurological and behavioral perspective was very clearly presented, highly informative, and points to the need for expert care for children with these disorders.

The overall developmental approach is extremely valuable because, behaviors and life issues change through development, and is helpful to look ahead to see what might be coming along. Additionallly, some of the more subtle behavioral and cognitive issues that children with BP face is discussed and NOT COVERED in the other books I?ve read ? including a discussion of the concomitant disorders that some kids face along with bipolar disorder.

The review of the meds was excellent, partitioned clearly, and will be a helpful resource guide. As for the structure, I overall liked the format, where some of the critical issues are set out from the rest of the text. Only boring part for me was some of the case studies ? written more for a psychiatric textbook than for a parent.

All in all, I found the book to be an excellent companion to the Bipolar Child and highly recommend it ?. For the novice parent and the ?experienced parent?. I also think this book should be required reading for school psychologists and social workers! At least one of these 2 books, please.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best in field, December 15, 2006

By	Barbara L. Blum (New York New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Understanding the Mind of Your Bipolar Child: The Complete Guide to the Development, Treatment, and Parenting of Children with Bipolar Disorder (Hardcover)

Thank you Dr. Lombardo for writing a book which is user friendly for both professionals and laypersons to understand the development of the mind, brain, and behavior of persons diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This book fills a gap in the literature on how to diagnosis,treat and live with live with bipolar persons. By following some of Dr. Lombardo's practcal advice professionals and parents can enhance the self esteem and probability of success of the bipolar person and of the bipolar family. Dr. Lombardo truly understands what it means to be bipolar, to live with a bipolar relative and to be the therapist of a bipolar personality.His empathy is felt between the lines, his words reflect compassion and competency.As a professional psychologist with over 30 years of experience I would rate this book number 1 in its category. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand what it is to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Barbara L. Blum, Ph.D.