About

BPChildren is an organization founded by Tracy Anglada, a mental health writer, advocate and mother. The main focus of BPChildren is to provide resources to children with bipolar disorder, along with their family, friends and teachers. BPChildren provides these resources primarily through our publishing division and website but also through in-person teacher trainings and lectures. BPChildren is not, and has never been, funded by grants from pharmaceutical companies. BPChildren is not currently organized as a non-profit and does not solicit donations. BPChildren is supported by the sale of books through both the website and the publishing division. The BPChildren website is not a medical site but a resource/support site for families struggling to deal with bipolar disorder. We strive for accuracy when touching on medical matters and refer our readers to reliable sources. The field of bipolar disorder in children is one that has gone through many changes over the past decade. We endeavor to keep up with these changes including revising books and articles to reflect current knowledge. BPChildren collaborates with a variety of support organizations and medical professionals.

"A friend of mine once told me, 'The more we know, the better we do.' I believe this to be true of parents struggling to raise children with bipolar disorder. I also believe it to be true for the children themselves. Initially it was to help my own son 'know more' that I wrote Brandon and the Bipolar Bear. It wasn't long before I realized how many people need to 'know more' about bipolar disorder. I hope that through my writing I will touch the lives of many who suffer from this illness. While my pencil can't erase the difficulties that may lie ahead perhaps it can in some small measure ease the burden carried by such small souls."

Tracy Anglada is an award-winning mental health writer. She is the founder and Executive Directore of BPChildren and a contributing writer to The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation. Tracy is the author of multiple articles, essays and books. Anglada's works have appeared in Pediatrics for Parents magazine, Calgary's Child magazine, The STARFISH Advocacy Association newsletter, The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation site and newsletter and eHow Family. Anglada's books have been recommended as resources by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, The Bipolar Child website, The Juvenile Research Bipolar Foundation, BPMagazine, Scholastic Online, The Institute for Community Inclusion, MassGeneral for Children, Canadian Mental Health Association, Children's Physician Network, Children's Mercy Hospital, The International Society for Bipolar Disorders, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, New England Academy, Austin Regional Clinic. and more. Anglada's books include Brandon and the Bipolar Bear, Turbo Max, Intense Minds, The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book and SWIVEL to Success.

Sheryl Hakala completed her medical degree, general adult psychiatric training, and child psychiatric fellowship, serving as chief resident, at the University of South Florida. Dr. Hakala is also active in organized psychiatry, has several scientific publications, and has made several TV appearances. She provides both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy in her private practice in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Hakala is the co-author of The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book. For more information on Dr. Hakala's private practice visit www.drkares.com

"Formerly a computer professional and technical writer, I found my world turned upside down when my son began to suffer from and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Life has gotten much better for him and us, but it changed my focus to using my writing skills to help children be emotionally healthy. Currently, I am working on my Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling." Bryna lives with her husband and three children in Rhode Island and works with children with a variety of psychiatric conditions. Bryna is the author of My Bipolar Roller Coaster Feelings Book, My Roller Coaster Feelings Workbook and Anger Mountain

Dr. Lewandowski earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She provides outpatient treatment to adults, conducts elementary school programs aimed to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and works as a research associate for the University of Michigan. Her most rewarding job, however, is parenting her children. Dr. Lewandowski is the co-author of Darcy Daisy and the Firefly Festival. The author can be reached through her website: www.dreamadifference.com

Kim Hix is the author of No One is Perfect and You are a Great Kid. The book was written for her son, Zack, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 5, with the additional diagnosis of ADHD/OCD/LD/and intermittant explosive disorder. Parenting a child with such obstacles requires creativity, patience and is usually taken one minute at a time. Kim is a graduate of Lander University with a B.S. in Psychology and has worked as a Patient Family Advocate with the Greenville Hosptial System. Kim also works as a personal trainer with a specialty in children's health and fitness. Her greatest hope is for the public to become more aware of pediatric mental illness, understanding that just becasue a child may be acting "bad" does not mean they are.