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Summary: The Bipolar Child and Matt the Moody Hermit Crab
Review: I consider this book to be my "Bible" when it comes to questions, information and concerns about children with early onset bipolar disorder. I reference it often and I'm so glad the Papolos's have taken the time to meet and talk with so many people who have children with bipolar disorder. Their information and recommendations are based on information that comes directly from the perspective of parents-something so often missing in books about mental illness in children. I would also recommend that children read Matt the Moody Hermit Crab by Caroline McGee. While there are many books out there for adults, there are not many written for children with this disease. Ms. McGee's book was the first one I was able to find that was appropriate for my son's age and reading level.
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Summary: Essential for any Parent
Review: Dr. Demitri Papolos and Janice Papolos (authors of Overcoming Depression) have given the equivalent of What to Expect When You Are Expecting for parents of children with a mood disorder. Written in language a frantically searching parent can understand, this concise and comprehensive guide captures both the emotional and clinical facets of this disorder. The organization of the work makes it well suited to thumb through and find information pertinent to a current situation. Divided into three distinct parts, it is a vital addition to a caregiver or professional's library. I will be keeping it as a reference, although it was also fairly easy to read cover to cover. Beginning with stories of parents from the trenches, which give a perspective on the disorder, the first focus is on diagnosis and treatment. Following the stories are detailed descriptions of possible symptoms of Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. Wide arrays of treatments are also covered, including alternative therapies and possible benefits and drawbacks of treatment courses. In addition to an excerpt from Dr. Charles Poppers ADHD Vs Bipolar paper, I found one of the most useful references to be the comprehensive medication section. This section describes all medications that may be used to treat and the possible side effects, as well as a chart on drug interactions. The second section focuses on the medical aspects of Bipolar. It explores different theories of the causes of the disorder and the genetics of it. This was actually the hardest section to read. It was quite technical, but well worth the time I put into it. The third section is one of the best. It is about day to day life and coping. It has a model IEP. It talks about school, hospitalization, and the social aspects of Bipolar Disorder. I cried while reading the first chapter, "The Impact on the Family." I was moved by the similarity to my own life, and it explored areas I prefer to forget normally. It has an excellent chapter on adolescence, hospitalization and insurance as well. This well-written book truly delivers on the subtitle: The Definitive and Reassuring Guide to Childhood's Most Misunderstood Disorder. I felt like my life was bared on those pages, for the world to see, understand, and eventually accept. I give it 5 stars and will be buying copies for anyone that works closely with my child.
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Summary: Footsoldiers In The Battle To Comfort Children
Review: One might argue that the authors attempted to squeeze too much information between one set of covers. It does seem that there are actually two books here: one, a medical analysis of the etiology of Bipolar Disorder, particularly early onset in very young children; and another book guiding parents in recognizing the symptoms and navigating the medical, insurance, and governmental mazes to obtain treatment for their children. Be that as it may, the authors have written a very provocative treatment of Bipolar Disorder that brings into print what psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and many parents have been concerned about for some time. For the past decade or so, there has been growing concern about the precision of children's diagnoses vis-Ã -vis Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While many parents and school officials wonder if the ADHD diagnosis is rendered too often, there is another school of thought emerging that as many as a third of ADHD diagnoses are in reality cases of early onset Bipolar Disorder. The authors are not alarmists; their stance, research, and professional networking is mainstream. But this work is alarming. It argues from the testimony of hundreds of parents connected to the authors from around the country by the Internet, that their children were much more violently ill than DSM-IV criteria for ADHD would admit, and that traditional ADHD treatments were not working, in fact making the situations worse. Admitting that the ADHD/bipolar differential is tricky for the diagnostician, the authors have arrived at useful clinical clues. For example, when a hyperactive child breaks something, more often than not he is angry with himself for his clumsiness. The bipolar child, on the other hand, often demonstrates an outward rage or anger with his destructive actions directed at family and peers. The Papoloses note also that bipolar children are more inclined to night terrors and violent imagination in story telling and art work. The authors point out that pediatric pharmacology in the treatment of early-onset Bipolar Disorder is extremely critical and presents a wide array of problems. As noted above, Bipolar Disorder can be mistaken for ADHD. The standard medication for the latter has been stimulants, which unfortunately will severely aggravate the manic tendencies of the bipolar client. Other clients may present as depressed, and even though the FDA has severely cautioned against the use of SSRI's with depressed children, it has not forbidden their use outright. In children and adults, SSRI's have been found to trigger manic episodes where the depressed mood was a feature of misdiagnosed Bipolar Disorder. Even when the diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder is correctly made, the medication problems for children are significant. Over the years the common practice has been the use of such mood stabilizers as Lithium and Depakote. These medications have required regular blood work, which has made compliance an issue with children who naturally despise needles. More recently, anticonvulsant and atypical psychotic medications have proven useful in severe cases. However, these medications involve significant side effects ranging from aggravated weight gain and acne to such extremes as facial distortions and the other trademark symptoms of psychotic medications. The Papoloses examine each medication, pro and con, to assist parents and practitioners in treating and educating their clients. Parents are reminded that dating back to 1973 federal law has mandated the educational opportunities of children with mental disorders. In a similar vein, children's rights to medical treatment, including institutionalization for weeks or months, are also reviewed under the provisions of Medicare and Medicaid, among other plans. The authors are thorough in spelling out the rights and the best procedures to follow in dealing with the bureaucracies of government, schools, and insurance companies. A number of useful organizations, with phone numbers and web sites, are provided. However, in the two states whose budgets I monitor, New York and Florida, Medicaid funding for children has been significantly reduced due to strapped state budgets. At this writing, California is considering wholesale reduction of service as well. Consequently, even those parents who are faithful to the advice rendered by the Papoloses may have difficulty in accessing service. The authors' advice here, while correct may be a bit too rosy in the present health care environment. In addition, I attempted to use several of the web sites, and some of them have been disbanded. But in the final analysis, this work fulfills what I think were the intentions of the authors. First, it provides assurances to parents that the bizarre and deeply troubling behavior of their children may have organic causes for which they are not responsible. Caregivers are reminded that they are not alone, that they have rights, and most importantly, that there are support groups and practitioners who are beginning to understand the scope of their problems. Second, this work is successful in encouraging practitioners to think more expansively about the pervasiveness of early-onset Bipolar Disorder. Until fairly recently popular wisdom had that Bipolar Disorder was "a grownup's disorder." Today any practitioner will tell you that in the absence of significant personal and family history, the establishment of a bipolar diagnosis is extremely difficult. So much the more for children, particularly when we are not conditioned to routinely look for manic depressive features. The Papoloses also discuss the troubling prospect that disorders of mood are gradually increasing in scope and intensity in America and appearing at earlier ages than ever before. I do not expect that this contention will go unchallenged. But if the authors are anywhere near correct in this contention, our research into the causes and treatment of many children's mental disorders, which now appear inherited and to emanate from the frontal regions of the brain, must accelerate not only for the safety of our children and families, but as a humane gesture to their suffering.
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Summary: INVALUABLE tool for raising an explosive child
Review: This book is a MUST for ANYONE raising a child who is explosive, inflexible, easily frustrated and difficult. Demitri and Janice Papolos have offered help and hope for any parent seeking answers to raising a child such as this. From the day I read this book, I began to understand what was going on with my son and my journey began. Suddenly, the pieces to the puzzle fit and I had the road map I so desperately needed. Without sounding dramatic, but being completely honest, I COULD NOT have gone in the right direction medically without having the knowledge I received from this book. I know carry it with me when traveling with my children and use it as a guide when needed. "The Bipolar Child" offers a symptoms checklist, medication information, school information, physiological info on this disorder, and more. I would highly recommend it to any parent, educator, or health care professional. Dr. Papolos treads and researches where many doctors avoid to go. Because of him and his wife, many will receive direction to get the help they so desperately need. My son is now stable and happy. Thank you to the Papoloses!
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Summary: A huge contribution to clarifying a misunderstood subject
Review: Reading this book was an overwhelming experience for me. The realization that my son had been misdiagnosed for years, because the medical profession rejected the idea that bi-polar illness could occur in children came as a huge relief. Due to the fact that our child had been misdiagnosed and given inappropriate treatment over the years, he had become more disturbed, and in fact had to be hospitalized at one point. Bi-polar disorder is hardly an illness one can welcome, but the truth is far easier to handle than explanations that only confuse, and wrong medication that, in our instance, was seriously destructive. We finally feel that we are on the right track, thanks to Janice and Demetri Papolos's book, and that there is reason to hope for our child's future. They have managed to combine detailed information and advice that one cannot find elsewhere, with a wonderful clarity of writing. If you know anyone who is trapped in the dilemma of uncertainty about ADD, HDD and the rest of that alphabet, this is an invaluable resource. If you are in that situation yourself, The Bipolar Child is a treasure beyond rubies
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Summary: A great beginning
Review: I found this book at just the right time, as we are working with our doctors to determine if our ODD daughter is actually suffering from Bipolar disorder. The book was very helpful in providing an overview of the symptoms of children who have this disorder, and comforting to know we are not alone in dealing with our daughter's behavior. However, I found that the chapter on diagnosis was not detailed enough, and perhaps focused on extreme case examples, rather than giving a range of case studies or examples to allow those of us who have very difficult children (who do not halucinate or rage to the point of destroying furniture) to determine if our children truely meet this criteria. I also found the book's educational recommendations a little extreme. I believe that allowing children to go into school late, skip homework assignments, and use calculators for math is doing a disservice to the child, who must ultimately survive in the real world! I found this book a great introduction and overview, but I am still looking for the "definitive" resource!
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Summary: The Definitive Reference on Bipolar Children
Review: This is *the* book for anyone who encounters bipolar children -- educators, mental health professionals, physicians, social workers and family members. The Bipolar Child should be on the shelf in every school and community library. It should be read by psychiatrists who have children in their practice. It should be required reading for social workers in the criminal justice system, particularly those involved in diversion programs for adolescents. While firmly grounded in the scientific literature, this book is nevertheless accessible. It does not talk down to non-professionals (e.g. the average parent) nor does it intimidate. The Bipolar Child an absolute must-read for parents and family members living and trying to deal with moody, impulsive, raging and depressed children. Still, this book is meant as a first step, a reference. It does not replace expert advice and community support. My advice: buy the book and reference it often. Stay connected to your child's doctor, such organizations as NAMI and CHADD, bookmark the various bipolar child websites, and join one of the new email lists for pb kids and their families.
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Summary: What's in a name
Review: It's a very comprehensive book directed at parents but containing a lot of technical information about neuroscience within its 440 pages. Part II "Inside the brain and mind" would be heavy going for anyone without a medical or scientific background although the writing is admirably lucid.
I did not find any arrors of fact but readers should be aware that the Papolos's extend the diagnosis of bipolar disorder beyond what is generally accepted. They may be right but at present there is no objective test like a blood test or an X-ray to prove the diagnosis. It is often suspected when a child is made worse by drugs in the Ritalin class, which is a tough way to make a diagnosis. A strong family history of classical manic-depressive illness as described by Kraepelin is another clue. Most diagnoses of childhood mental ilnesses are fuzzy. (The DSM criteria have aroused a lot of sharp satirical comment). One result is that that a lot of the medication use is empirical "let's try this and see."
The Papalos's also emphasize the possibility that treatment of depression with an anti-depressant drug can precipitate mania. This can happen in adults but its implications for treatment are controversial.
They tend to be over-optimistic about the effects of many anti-convulsant drugs and perhaps give too much credence to single reports of spectacular improvement.
I appreciated their harrowing but warmly sympathetic descriptions of life with a severely mentally ill child and how to cope with the well-meaning (or ill-meaning) critics who say things like "give him to me for a week and he'll be different child."
It's a very practical book for parents in the the United States in dealing with questions like the costs of treatment. The advice about gaming the system and the the complexities of IDEA and IEP etc is particularly good although it is so detailed and specific that it would not help much in other countires, even Canada.
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Summary: A lot of really helpful info
Review: This book is such a wonderful resource, I cannot count how many times I have pulled it out to look up information. Some of it is a bit technical for me, but it reassured me that I was not a bad parent, that I was not alone, and that there are professionals out there working on helping kids like mine. I also recommend "If Your Child Is Bipolar." Between these two books, I feel like I have the information and support I need to really make a difference in the life of my child and the rest of my families' as well. Thank you to Dr. Papalos for all that he is doing to help our kids!
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Summary: The Bipolar Child
Review: FOR PARENTS: If your child is moody, tempermental or has behavior problems, serious social difficulties... take a look! If you know your child is bipolar or just suspect, this is the ABSOLUTE MUST BUY book you have been praying for. A life saver for this mother of a bipolar daughter! It gave me the information I needed to get the doctors and therapists to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. It helped guide me through the IEP process and become an informed advocate for my daughter. I wish I would have found it many years and heartaches ago. The book title delivers on its promise... Definitive and Reassuring PROFESSIONALS: If you work with children, this book will become one of the best resources you've ever discovered.
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