The following books on bipolar disorder have been reviewed for the Harried Parent's Book Club. They are sorted by Guide Rating, with five stars being best.
1. The Bipolar Child
Cover image courtesy of Random House
The classic book on early-onset bipolar disorder has added more than 22,000 words for its third edition, encompassing new treatments, new research, and new laws. Remaining the same is the reassuring, non-alarmist tone and practical advice about an often alarming and befuddling disorder. If you're looking to learn everything you can, it's a lifesaving resource. 5 Stars
2. The Bipolar Teen
Cover image courtesy of The Guilford Press
In many ways, teenagers are naturally bipolar, swinging from manic excitement to depression just as a normal expression of adolescent hormonal chaos. But if your teen swings more sharply and disastrously, a diagnosis of bipolar disorder may be appropriate. This comprehensive, accessible, and somehow upbeat book tells you how to get one and what to do with it -- at home, in the doctor's office, and at school. 5 Stars
3. Your Child in the Balance
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
Looking for a hard and fast answer to the question of whether psychiatric medications will be safe, effective, and necessary for your child? Too bad, you won't find it here. You will find an evenhanded look at the pros and cons, from a psychiatrist who is cautiously pro-medication but entirely mindful of its pitfalls. Whichever side of the fence you're on, or even if you're straddling it, you'll find some validation for your point of view here. Some food for thought, too. 4.5 Stars
4. Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger's, Tourette's, Bipolar, and More
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
If your child has behavioral challenges, you've probably had the experience of reading symptoms for one diagnosis after another and feeling your child could be tagged with any of them. Kids in the Syndrome Mix works to sort out some of those tangled strands and lead parents to meaningful interventions for their children, whatever the diagnosis may be. 4.5 Stars
5. Should I Medicate My Child?
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
Medicating children for behavior problems can be a difficult subject to discuss, one that provokes strong emotions among parents, pro and con. Diller, author of Running on Ritalin, provides information about a host of psychiatric drugs while also offering caution as to their use. It's thought-provoking stuff regardless of which side of the line you're on. 4 Stars
6. Bipolar Kids: Helping Your Child Find Calm in the Mood Storm
Cover image courtesy of PriceGrabber
Call this The Bipolar Child-lite. It's shorter, more easy-going, informative but not overwhelming. That's great, if you need to ease into the subject, or just want more ideas and encouragement. But it's also light on nuts-and-bolts, nitty-gritty advice for those in the trenches. Still, there are worse ways to pass your time than swapping stories with an amiable and appreciative psychiatrist. 3.5 Stars
7. Facing Bipolar
Cover image courtesy of New Harbinger
A child's diagnosis is a project for parents, but when a diagnosis comes just at the time when a young adult is branching off into college plans and new jobs and roommates and independent living, Mom and Dad have a lot less control. Passing a book like this to your young person may be the best way to help out when you can't take over. 3.5 Stars
8. Please Don't Label My Child
Cover image courtesy of Rodale Press
More accurately, the title should be Please Don't Label YOUR Child, because the author is directing his message at parents who are quick to seek a label and a prescription, rather than doctors and educators who are quick to offer them. If you can keep from getting defensive over that, there's some interesting information on how adjusting nutrition, environment, and lifestyle may be more effective than medication for many kids. 3.5 Stars
9. Dyslogic Syndrome
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
The book's subtitle says, "Why Millions of Kids Are "Hyper," Attention-Disordered, Learning-Disabled, Depressed, Aggressive, Defiant, or Violent -- and What We Can Do About It," and if the "what we can do about it" part of this slim volume was more of the story than the "why millions of kids are messed up" part, I might have liked it better. By the time Dr. Rimland gets done sharing statistics on widespread brain damage, toxic environments, and medical malpractice, hope seems like kind of an afterthought. 2 Stars
