IntenseMinds

"It is deeply touching to read through the internal life of those who experience this disorder. This documentation validates their feelings and shows that they are not alone in this journey. It brings out deep compassion for their suffering and courage all in one! This is a great tribute for bipolar children from Tracy, a must read!" Mani N Pavuluri, M.D.,Associate Professor & Director, Pediatric Mood Disorders Program, Institiute for Juvenile Research and Center for Cognitive Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago

"It's been said that 98% of the problem is realizing there is one. Intense Minds is a crash course in understanding the illness with a message of hope and compassion for children suffering with bipolar disorder. Thank You, a Grandfather of bipolar children."

“Tracy Anglada has broken new ground with Intense Minds. While most books speak about the children and their feelings, hers is the first to capture the children articulating what they truly feel themselves: their impossible levels of frustration and irritability, their episodes of emptiness or manic energy, their severe difficulties in the academic environment, and their dread of night time due to their propensity to suffer horrific images and scenarios while sleeping. One comes away with such admiration for these children and adolescents for soldiering on despite these terrible burdens, and for the author who took the time to listen and put their words to paper. Parents, clinicians and educators must read this first-of-its-kind book.” Demitri F. Papolos, M.D. and Janice Papolos, authors of The Bipolar Child

“I really, really love this book. As I was reading, I thought of many people I would like to share it with. Even after living with this disease for 5 years, I still found much to learn. I saw my kids, and I caught a glimmer of what they must be experiencing, but cannot express in words. Thank you so much for writing it.” Diane, mother of two children with bipolar disorder

"I couldn't put this book down until I had read it cover to cover, but be forewarned, it could make a grown man cry. Using their own words, Anglada skillfully brings to life the internal experiences of bipolar children and adolescents as they struggle to survive in a world where they are all too often misunderstood and mistreated. Her book breathes life into the abstract diagnostic labels, and will do much to improve our understanding of childhood bipolar disorders. It should be read by health professionals, parents, and, teachers who want to better understand and help bipolar children." William Niederhut, M.D., author of The COBAD Syndrome

"What a powerfully written description of the inner lives, struggles, and gifts of children and adolescents with Bipolar Disorder! Thanks to Tracy Anglada for providing such useful wisdom." George T Lynn, author of Survival Strategies for Parenting Children With Bipolar Disorder

"I recommend this book to anyone with the courage to challenge their understanding, and potential misconceptions, regarding bipolar disorder in young people. Tracy Anglada's writing style skillfully integrates factual information with powerful metaphors and personal accounts. This combination brings bipolar disorder to life for the reader, providing a window into the phenomenological experiences of young people who are afflicted with this disorder. Readers will inevitably grow in their compassion and understanding, the necessary ingredients for breaking down barriers created by stigma and misconceptions associated with bipolar disorder (and related conditions). A must read for health professionals, educators, and those directly or indirectly impacted by bipolar disorder." Lisa Lewandowski, Ph.D.; Clinical Psychologist, private practice; Research Associate, University of Michigan; Co-author of Darcy Daisy and the Firefly Festival: Learning about Bipolar Disorder and Community

"Tracy Anglada has done it again! Intense Minds is a “must read”—both for parents of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder and for the school and mental health professionals who work with these children—to provide them the understanding, empathy, hope, and guidance needed to help children with bipolar disorder grow to achieve their full potential." Mary A. Fristad, PhD, ABPP; Professor, Psychiatry & Psychology; Director, Research & Psychological Services; Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; The Ohio State University

“Ms. Anglada has once again shined the light upon the often confusing, painful struggles of pediatric bipolar disorder. In Intense Minds she takes the reader through the journey of having bipolar disorder through the eyes of children and adults who have struggled with this illness. With attention to detail and Ms. Anglada's exceptional literary skill the reader who is not personally affected by bipolar disorder is able to walk a few steps in the shoes of another.

"This is a must read book for every parent, educator, family member and friend of a child with pediatric bipolar disorder in order to bring understanding, awareness and acceptance of the individual.” Donna Gilcher, Ed.D., STARFISH Advocacy Association

The book is very strong as is, and I hope it finds a wide audience among those affected by bipolar disorder and their families. As the book currently stands, the author does a very nice job at conveying many of the experiences that those with bipolar disorder may encounter. One approach for expansion that might be interesting for future editions would be to partner up with a doctor and expand on the more technical and medical side of bipolar disorder. The "further reading" sections provide adequate jumping off points, but the inclusion of more information could never hurt, so long as it did not affect the book's very relatable and sensitive narratives.

On a Scale of 1 to 5, with 1 meaning "poor" and 5 meaning "excellent":

Structure and organization: 4

Grammar: 5

Cover Design: 4

Tracy Anglada's Intense Minds presents an extraordinarily thoughtful take on its chosen topic, bipolar disorder. I think the book has the potential to be of great benefit to parents and children for whom bipolar disorder is new, and they have not fully appreciated the ways it can affect it's sufferers and, by proxy, their loved ones. The author has included enough scenarios that some are likely to stand out for particular people, allowing them in a certain sense the opportunity to recognize their own feelings in someone else. The inclusion of the "appendix" and the "more resources" sections balance out the book quite nicely. They both provide opportunities for readers to seek support as well as technical information on bipolar disorder.

(Author's note: I am pleased to let you know that my book co-authored with Dr. Hakala, The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book, provides parents with more information on the technical and medical side of bipolar disorder as recommended.)

In the years since my daughter was diagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder, through the rages, agitation, irritability and depths of depression, I have struggled to understand and truly empathize with what my daughter was experiencing. So many times I said to myself, "If only I could crawl inside of her mind for just one day, to understand what she is feeling, what she is suffering through." In her newest book, Intense Minds, Tracy Anglada has done just that. She has captured the voices and experiences of children, adolescents and adults who openly and honestly tell what it is like to grow up with bipolar disorder.

The words expressed are so forthright, so matter of fact, and yet so painful to read because they articulate so well the turmoil within the bodies and minds of the people she is writing about. I found myself moved to tears not just because of the pain that came through on each page, but because it helped me understand my own daughter's emotions and feelings. Her actions that so often seemed baffling, frustrating or down right annoying, now had meaning and clarity. It was as if a light had been turned on, a light into her inner world.

Intense Minds is more than just a compilation of first hand experiences. Ms. Anglada has organized these anecdotes into the many different sides of bipolar disorder; the depression, the mania, the paralysis of not being able to make a decision, the inner conflict and struggle to find one's identity, the fears and anxiety. Interwoven in these first hand stories is a narrative and analysis that pulls together these shared experiences to give the reader a deeper understanding of the illness.

While the book is emotionally wrenching and eye opening, it is also filled with hope and optimism. In the section "The Twist" we read the positives of bipolar disorder, the traits that are so often shared yet overlooked. Compassion, empathy, creativity, determination and focus, the development of an inner strength and a perspective that appreciates all that life has to offer. We are inspired to continue to advocate for our children so that they can enjoy the many positives that emerge in spite of, or because of this disorder.

In the growing library of books about bipolar disorder, Intense Minds fills a void by giving us a chance to hear from the real experts, the children and adults living with the reality of bipolar disorder.

by Nanci Schiman, CABF Parent to Parent Coordinator

John Mcmanamy, author of Living Well with Depression and Bipolar Disorder:

Parents of bipolar kids are among my favorite people. Despite the terrible illness that brings us together, I always manage to part company on a feel-good note. Maybe it's their love and dedication and intelligence and optimism in the face of circumstances that would leave anyone else embittered and demoralized. Maybe it's their sixth sense for projecting the kind of empathy that can't be faked.

One of these individuals is Tracy Anglada, whom I met last summer at a conference in Stockton, CA that featured Dr Papolos and Janice Papolos. I was there in a dual role as a reporter for this Newsletter and to work up a pre-publication buzz for my soon-to-be-released book. The organizers of the conference kindly allowed me a table to exhibit my wares. One of my fellow exhibitors was Tracy, and we found lots of time to talk.

Tracy is a Florida mom who started up her own organization, BPChildren, dedicated to helping young people and adults understand more about pediatric bipolar. She is the author of "Intense Minds: Through the Eyes of Young People with Bipolar Disorder."

One quick look at the opening paragraphs, and you will drop everything you're doing:

"A broad smile spread across my son's face. His eyes shone brightly and he turned to me to share his good news. What was the cause of excitement for my 6-year-old son? We were at a meeting, and the speaker was describing the horrible plight of the Biblical man Job. 'Job was so sick, he wanted to die,' said the speaker.

"What was my son's good news in response to that statement? Two simple words: "Like me!" He had finally found someone he could relate to, someone else who wanted to die. It was comforting for him to know he was not alone. It was no comfort to me. As a parent, those were the worst words I could have heard."

This is a book where the kids (or adults recalling their tormented childhoods) get to tell their stories. Any clinician or educator or other interested party who does not buy a copy is guilty of malpractice.