|
|
Email Marketing by Benchmark Email
BPChildren's Articles Intense Parenting: 10 Things Every Parent Needs to Know! Making Sense out of the Tragic Death of Rebecca Riley: How to Help Children and Families Living with Bipolar Disorder Brain Abnormalities Associated with Bipolar Disorder What Areas of the Brain May Show Abnormalities in Childhood Bipolar Disorder Advice from Other Parents Helping the Youngest Victims of Bipolar Disorder (a parent interview) Extra Challenges (Celiac Disease) An interview with a young person Colton's Story Lorenzo's Story Prejudicial Treatment of Children and Families with Bipolar Disorder Media Coverage of Bipolar Disorder: A Teenager's Perspective Positive Media Articles Outside Resources Dealing with Cognitive Dysfunction Associated with Psychiatric Disabilities Treatment Guidelines for Children With BP About Pediatric Bipolar Disorder (CABF article) Frequently Asked Questions About Early Onset Bipolar Disorder Find a Doctor Bipolar Child Newsletters Mood Disorders - (a religious perspective) A series of articles that includes a comforting scriptural discussion. Support Organizations Brainstorm: Your Pediatric Bipolar Infosource www.bpinfo.net The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation 820 Davis St., Ste. 520 Evanston, IL 60201 847-492-8519 Phone 847-492-8520 Fax Web: www.bpkids.org The Collaborative Problem Solving Institute 313 Washington St., Suite 402 Newton Corner, MA 02458 Phone: 617-965-3000 Web: www.thinkkids.org Depressive and Bipolar Support Alliance 730 N Franklin St., Suite 501 Chicago, IL 60610-7224 Phone: 800-826-3632 Web: www.dbsalliance.org Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health 9605 Medical Center Dr., Suite 280 Rockville, MD 20850 Phone: 240-403-1901 Web: www.ffcmh.org International Society for Bipolar Disorders P.O. Box 7168 Pittsburgh, PA 15213-0168 Phone: 412-605-1412 Web: www.isbd.org Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation 550 Ridgewood Rd. Maplewood, NJ 07040 Phone: 866-333-JBRF Web: www.jbrf.org The National Alliance on Mental Illness Colonial Place Three 2107 Wilson Blvd., Suite 300 Arlington, VA 22201-3042 Phone: 888-999-6264 Web: www.nami.org National Institute of Mental Health 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 Phone: 866-615-6464 Web: www.nimh.nih.gov National Mental Health Association 2001 N Beauregard St., 12th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 Phone: 800-969-NMHA Web: www.nmha.org STARFISH Advocacy Association 3341 Warrensville Center Rd. Shaker Heights, OH 44122 Web: www.starfishadvocacy.org |
Copyright BPChildren 2008 |
Parent's Page |
Parent's Frequently Asked Questions |
What are the special challenges of raising a child with bipolar disorder? Raising a child with bipolar disorder can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. Your child's quickly changing and difficult moods may make you feel as if you are walking on eggshells and parenting an ever changing target. It can also be challenging to recognize the more subtle ways that bipolar disorder affects your child. Dealing with well meaning people who don't understand bipolar disorder can also be a source of challenge and frustration. How does my child's stability level affect parenting? Your parenting must meet your child's health needs. During times of extreme instability, the most important thing is the safety of your child and all in the family. This is a time when stress needs to be reduced on all fronts, both at school and home. As your child achieves a certain amount of wellness, your parenting may need to shift in order to help your child in the areas of emotional growth that were missed during times of instability. It is also important as your child stabilizes to identify any additional roadblocks, such as learning disabilities, as these can co-exist with bipolar. What if I'm concerned about misdiagnosis? It is important to have a correct diagnosis. Misdiagnosis can be harmful, as it either ignores an important health condition or identifies it incorrectly, leading to improper treatment. Parents must become educated advocates for their child. Learn about bipolar disorder yourself. Also learn what other conditions can mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder and make sure these are ruled out. Referring to the treatment guidelines in the link below will help you with this. Also find a qualified doctor who does a thorough evaluation. Seek a second or even third opinion when necessary. What if I have very negative feelings about my child? Because bipolar disorder is a chronic illness, it continually effects family life and taxes your parenting abilities. Parents sometimes experience caregiver burnout, compassion fatigue, or secondary trauma as a result of their child's illness. This can happen especially after a child has been unstable for an extended period of time. Parents who begin to feel num, or very negative toward their child with bipolar disorder, may be at this stage. In order to take care of your child with bipolar disorder, you must also take care of yourself. Make your own appointment with the doctor. Do I have reason to hope for my child's future? Children with bipolar disorder can go on to live very full and happy lives. Many of them are creative, gifted and talented individuals. Helping them find their talents and value their positive qualities can help them to lead enriched lives. There are now FDA approved medications for children with bipolar disorder, and new treatments are continually being researched to help people with bipolar disorder. Where can I get more help to parent my child? To get more information on parenting your child with bipolar disorder effectively, click on the "books" link above. The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book can help you as you continue on this difficult parenting journey. Also make sure to surround yourself with supportive people. Look for a local support group through the National Alliance on Mental Illness or Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Also please read the articles found below and check out the list of support organizations at the bottom of this page. |
For detailed answers to all your questions check out The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book |