The Bipolar Teen. What You Can Do to Help Your Child and Your Family

Editorial Review

Bipolar disorder is difficult at any age, but it can be particularly daunting for teenagers and their families. David Miklowitz, author of the bestselling Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide, provides invaluable information parents can use to help teens cope--and thrive. His adolescent bipolar treatment program has been tested and refined for a decade. Now for the first time, this book makes it available directly to parents. The Bipolar Teen helps parents distinguish between the typical ups and downs of teen life and the symptoms of mania or depression. With coauthor Elizabeth George, Dr. Miklowitz shows parents how to recognize the early warning signs of an episode so they can intervene before it's too late. They show how to strike a healthy balance of medications and psychotherapy, and offer practical tips for getting the most from doctors and from school programs. Crucially, they also demonstrate practical strategies for managing the chaos at home so every family member--including siblings without the illness--can find the stability and support they need. A dozen helpful reproducibles are included.

Cached date: AWS Called=true

Customer Reviews

The Best

2008-04-18
The only book I could find that really focuses on the teen experience from the parent's perspective. It covers the phases a parent goes through emotionally from the onset of his or her child's symptoms until the illness is brought under control. It offers description of what bi-polar looks like in a teen that makes it easier to share with family what you as a parent are going through without having to discuss in detail the particulars of your child's situation.

AWESOME!! A MUST HAVE FOR PARENTS OF BP TEENS!!!

2008-04-09
I CANNOT recommend this book strongly enough! If you have a BP teen or soon-to-be teen DEFINATELY buy this book! Such questions as "is it BP or is it regular obstinate teen?", IEPs, social anxiety, medications, different therapies for different teens, etc. This book covers it ALL! Easy to read and understand. Many "if this scenerio than use this technique" type descriptions as well. This book goes with me everywhere as I read it over and over. Also bought The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by the same author/doctor which my 15 yo is reading and also just LOVES it! We now have MANY MORE open and frank discussions on her challenges with both of us now able to understand the disorder better and also how she responds to it better. Again- if you are a parent of a BP teen- BUY THIS BOOK!!!!

The book I've been looking for

2008-03-19
A well-organized, empathetic, and truthful book about bipolar disorder in teens. When I first started my journey with my child I could not get a straight answer from anyone. Miklowitz gives straight answers - which I find refreshing and honest. There is no sugarcoating here, but he is not fatalistic at all. I did not find this book discouraging, I felt affirmed in what I already know. We want science in dealing with mental health disorders and there is plenty to go around, but those of us who are on the frontlines need experienced opinions and on the ground knowledge of how to tackle some very difficult behaviors and we need to be able to understand as much as possible.

Difficult subjects are discussed in terms that are not alarming. Advice is given from the studies they've done and the clients they've worked with in practice. I have to say, that's all I ever really wanted. I knew there were no answers, I just wanted some strategies.

No matter where you are on your journey with your child, this book will give you the tools you will need. Does it contain everything you need to know? No, not one book can do that, but it certainly comes close. I am very grateful for the work they've done and for sharing it so honestly and openly.

Helpful, but clinical, vague

2008-03-01
The Bipolar Teen offers reams of data and facts, and is an excellent resource for families just learning about mental illness. It is not, however, encouraging or specific. Most families will need to augment this book with others, such as Kate McLaughlin's "Mommy I'm Still in Here" to get a more personal perspective.

Excellent Resource

2008-02-10
Every parent of a teen with bipolar disorder should own this book. Using real life examples of parents and teens, the authors illustrate so many of the problems you face on a daily basis, such as: knowing when it's your teen and when it's the bipolar talking; how to solve school problems; how to restore peace at home; and even how to deal with suicidal thinking. This book is an easy read, without "doctor-speak," and uses charts, examples, checklists, your own fill-in-the-blanks, bullet-pointed information, and actual quotes and stories of real parents and teens to get the information across. I was very impressed with this book.