The Life of a Bipolar Child: What Every Parent and Professional Needs to Know
Review by Rebecca Edmondson Pretzel, Ph.D., Child Psychologist
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Resource: |
Carlson, T. (2000). The life of a bipolar child: What every parent and professional needs to know. Benline Press: Duluth, MN. |
This book provides a mother’s moving account of her son’s struggle with bipolar disorder and his eventual suicide. Her personal account of this painful journey is both insightful and reflective, and demonstrates strong parental love and understanding. Ms. Carlson poignantly shares the impact mental illness can have on the child and family and describes the challenges parents face in raising a child with bipolar disorder. She elaborates on the difficulties in finding an accurate diagnosis and obtaining necessary treatment for this complex illness.
The book is divided into two parts: Ben’s Story: The Depression, ADHD, and Anxiety Disorder that Caused His Suicide; and Depression in the Young: What We Can Do to Help Them. Major topics that are covered include:
Symptomatology in childhood (Ben’s case)
Difficulty understanding the co-morbidity of depression, anxiety, and ADHD
Types of depression and anxiety
Adolescent suicide
Cognitive and interpersonal therapies
Medications for depression and anxiety
Findings from recent studies on bipolar disorder
This resource is easy to read and provides a wonderful overview of the complex issues of childhood mental illness and treatment, particularly bipolar disorder. Both families and professionals will find this book enlightening and informative.