Guest Blogger: Deborah DeMoss Smith talks about her new novel..

It has been a few months since I have talked to Deborah. Light Fixtures is doing well on the Kindle and a paperback version is coming soon. If you haven’t ordered the book,  it’s a great read.   Please see the latest blog post for an interview with Deborah. Hello Everyone.  As you know, I rarely promote books on this site from bloggers- but when I do, I make sure they are special. Like all readers on this site, our guest bloggers are extraordinary people- they have stories and they often write books about their life experiences.   Here is my latest guest blogger Deborah DeMoss Smith- and guess what- her book is a novel is about a teenager with bipolar disorder.  Teens need to be represented!

** A note from Deborah:

I first [ Read More ]





Pt 1. Tips for Parents of Adult Children with Bipolar Disorder: Three Patterns to Recognize and Change

This is a two part blog for parents who have adult children with bipolar disorder.  You need help too!

You are the ones who have it tough when your child isn’t doing well.

Does this sound familiar?

Your child has a diagnosis and refuses meds. Your child has obvious bipolar disorder symptoms (or another psychiatric illness) and not only refuses to get help , but gets very angry if you bring up the subject. Your child  is so ill they need hospitalization,  but you have no idea how to get them into treatment.

Of course there are many more situations,  but I want you to know: You are not alone!

All parents of adult children with active bipolar disorder are overwhelmed.  This is a strong illness that can grab hold of your family and not let go.  In the past two years, I’ve worked with hundreds of parents in my coaching business and have [ Read More ]





Posted on September 21st, 2011 | Category: Children/teens, Family and Friends

Bipolar Spectrum Disorders

I recently posted and asked people to comment on all of the different names used to describe bipolar disorder. Sandra just wrote in with another name:

Hi Julie,

I purchased a book called “Break the Bipolar Cycle” by Elizabeth Brondolo, Ph.D. and Xavier Amador, Ph.D. and they use the term Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (BSD) as an umbrella term that includes all types of Bipolar Disorders. That was the first I’d heard that term before.

Sandra

Here is my answer:

Hi Sandra,

The term bipolar spectrum disorders is used a lot in health care professional and academic writing. As you read in the book I am sure, it means that bipolar disorder goes on a spectrum from mind to severe with many different manifestations of the illness in between. Most of us have bipolar one or bipolar two- a new diagnosis is of bipolar three where the person gets manic from a medication such as Prozac [ Read More ]





Amazing Parenting Resource Website

I am going to speak to a branch of the Stand Up Parenting organization in the next few months. I am quite amazed at the quality of what they offer for parents in terms of learning skills to work with teens and adult children. It definietly translates to parents of children with bipolar disorder.

http://www.standupparenting.org/

A dear friend of mine has a 14 year old son who is really acting like a 14 year old! He said to me, “Where are the groups for parents who are great parents who need more skills to deal with teens!”

I look foward to speaking to the group here in Portland, Oregon.

Julie





Are you a parent of a child with bipolar disorder?

Parents of kids with bipolar disorder..

I often feel sorry for my mom. She has to deal with so much concerning this illness. I’m having a super tough day today and she knows it.  I always tell her what I’m going through.  I am very honest:  “I’m sick today.  The depression is really bad.”

My mom has used the Health Cards for seven years- this means she knows what I need, but it doesn’t make it easy. She knows I am safe and that I know how to take care of myself. But it must just break her heart to see her child so sick.

I’m lucky that she was willing and able to learn my system. It has saved our relationship – and my life! many times.

I have options, as we all do- when I’m this depressed. On some days, I really do need to see friends and hang out. But friends aren’t [ Read More ]





Children and Bipolar Disorder Question

I just received an excellent question from Mike:

Julie, I love these blogs but I have an 8yr old girl with bipolar disorder and everything is about adults. Her anger just gets worse and worse and I don’t know how to teach her the stuff i read from you. the hcp has her on depakote and risperidal, please tell my wife and I how we can help her. I feel so bad that she has to feel this way.

 **

I will answer this question either tonight of tomorrow. I thought I had time right now, but I am off to a meeting to interview a potential speaker for the Latino Mental Health event that my friend Gayathri Ramprasad is doing here in Portland, Oregon.

The childhood bipolar questions are so important and I want to give this a lot of thought before I answer.

 UPDATE: I have not forgotten this question- I have just been in [ Read More ]





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