The Bipolar Child: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder

Demitri, associate professor of psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, and his wife, Janice, present a comprehensive view of early-onset bipolar disorder, focusing on how this complicated illness evolves in children. The authors warn that nearly one-third of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may actually be bipolar (previously called manic depression), and they stress the importance of getting early diagnosis and treatment, especially since Ritalin, which is commonly prescribed for ADHD, may worsen the bipolar child's condition. The authors dispel the myth that bipolar disorder occurs only in adolescents and adults and note that cases of bipolar disorder are increasingly occurring at a younger age. In addition to diagnosis and treatment, the authors discuss practical ways to deal with the condition itself, as well as the impact it has on entire families. An important guide for parents seeking ways to cope with this disorder, this revised edition of the 1999 original offers new information on developments in mood stabilization medication, psychological testing, and creating good school environments for bipolar students.