I’ve been waiting years for Dr. Wozniak to write a book. (I have followed her work closely for almost 10 years, since I had that first nagging feeling that my new baby was different.) Her new book, “Is Your Child Bipolar?”, co-authored by Mary Ann McDonnell, a psychiatric nurse specializing in pediatric psychopharmacology, doesn’t disappoint.

As the parent of two children with early-onset bipolar disorder, I have made it my mission to read anything and everything on the subject. Most of the non-academic books are great for enlightening the uninitiated or the newly diagnosed. For those of us already in the trenches, these books serve to remind us that we are not as alone as we may feel. This book is a success because it does all that and much more.

The empathy these authors feel for the children and their families is apparent on every page. This validation is critical, particularly with mental illness, where attitudes of ignorance, shame, blame and disbelief still prevail and lead to tremendous isolation. But beyond this need for validation, the caretakers of bipolar children need real help, real guidance and real tools. “Is Your Child Bipolar?” comes closer than anything I’ve read to providing such a road map.

All too often the bipolar books lump these practicalities into one or two chapters at the end of the book. Not these authors; they provide much-needed detail and specifics. They don’t just tell you to assemble a team, they tell you what positions you need filled and which players may be suitable for them. They provide detailed explanations of different types of psychotherapy. (Who knew there was something called dialectical therapy?) And, perhaps most importantly, they teach you how to talk to your child’s doctor. For instance, instead of telling your doctor that your child has sleep problems, you might say that your child routinely stays up until midnight, then wakes in the middle of the night talking non-stop and wanting to play as if it were noon. (What I might have said if I’d had the benefit of this book several years ago).

“Is Your Child Bipolar?” effectively illustrates and elucidates the complexity of this illness. (Adding to this complexity is the fact that the majority of these kids have other co-occurring disorders like ADHD and anxiety disorders, which the authors refer to as “Bipolar Plus.”). The vignettes and case studies they set forth effectively demonstrate the variability in presentation, treatment response and course of illness. The patient stories they have woven throughout the text teach us how doctors will approach and think about each case and its many variables. And through such stories, we learn how to be an integral part of this complicated and never-ending process.

One of the most difficult aspects of this illness is dealing with the well-meaning but uninformed people around you. As parents of bipolar children, we hear:”She’s still young.” “She’s fine when she’s with me.” “He just needs to know who the boss is.” “But those medications are dangerous.” “She’s just spirited.” “He’s just a spoiled brat.” “She’s a model student.” The list goes on.

After reading this book, you will have more to say to the naysayers, many of whom have never seen your child fully symptomatic. (Why haven’t they seen the rages? I’ll let you read the book to see what the authors say about this common bipolar phenomenon.) As our doctor once reminded me, “you don’t need to justify treating your children to anyone.” But if you still want to, the authors can help with that discussion.

The authors do a wonderful job of addressing the ambivalence we all feel when faced with this diagnosis and its proposed treatment. Yes, these are serious medications; we must be vigilant in monitoring our children while on them. But, as the authors repeatedly point out, untreated bipolar disorder gets worse and is not without consequence. It affects a child’s developing mind and her developing personality. When your child cannot stop worrying, she cannot learn the alphabet or algebra. When he can’t play Little League, he misses out on fitness, friendship and more. Her development gets stunted; she gets stuck; she gets left behind. And, worse still, untreated bipolar disorder may be dangerous. Substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, criminal behavior and suicide are very real threats.

If you are a parent of a bipolar child, this book should go to the top of your list of books to own. It’s a How-To book that you will need forever. If you are the grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend or loved one of a child with bipolar disorder, you should read this book. That child and his or her parents desperately need your informed support. This book will get you there.

Rating: 5 / 5

Thanks to the enhanced recognition of group therapy by practitioners employed in mental health services, many firms and health clinics have started to adopt the use and practice of this method of therapy in their medical regimen. Despite the important benefits which the use of group therapy provides for patients during psychotherapy, its use can also cause unexpected complications that would not have occurred during individual psychotherapy.

An instance of one such problem is the possible start of conflict amongst group members. Naturally, with the presence of a well-trained and caring mental health professional, such instances of conflict can often be averted through mediated discussions and a unique set of guidelines that dictate conduct. When conflicts do arise, however, group leaders are ofttimes able to help the members solve their problems, thereby leading to great insights.

As a result of the fact that many group therapy meetings hover on shared experiences or behaviors, such as a traumatic event, certain types of lifestyle habits, medical issue, or profession, personal perspectives about elements within discussions can often be very strong and contentious, opening doors to potential conflicts.

In some instances these problems of possible conflict can be spotted and quelled before they ensue by the leading therapist, however in some other scenarios, the professional might choose to allow these areas of conflict to be introduced in order to provide room for a talk on the individual difference in ideas. These differences can sometimes assist group therapy clients discover new ways of looking at themselves and their lives, helping to improve the quality of their recovery and to provide a meaningful platform for working through issues in the future.

Group therapy members may wish to avoid coming across conflict, as their recollections of past scenarios can usually be decidedly negative. Yet being a part of such conflicts within the safe, free of faultfinding, and confidential environment of mental health care can provide a new and highly effective way of appreciating conflict, helping to uncover personal concerns.

Clients slowly come to learn from participating in such activity that conflict does not always end negatively, but instead can actually result in the development of positive thoughts and a new and enhanced outlook.

Group counseling can be found for a broad range of specific issues, age groups, alongside other personal traits. For a list of excellent group counselors who can counsel you surf the support directory at GoodTherapy.org.