Raising a Moody Child How to Cope with Depression and Bipolar Disorder

by Fristad, Mary A.; Arnold, Jill S. Goldberg

• ISBN13: 9781572309302
• ISBN10: 157230930X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-10-29
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

Every day can be an ordeal for families struggling with the difficult, moody, "impossible" behavior that may point to childhood depression or bipolar disorder. Effective help for kids does exist, but it often requires a customized combination of medication, therapy, coping skills, and support. From esteemed child treatment experts Dr. Mary Fristad and Dr. Jill Goldberg Arnold, this indispensable book describes how treatment works and what additional steps parents can take at home to help children with mood disorders--and the family as a whole--improve the quality of their lives. Explained are why symptoms look so different (and can be so much harder to manage) in children and teens than in adults, how to find the right doctor or therapist, and how to help kids develop their own "coping toolkits." Bursting with practical tools, FAQs, and examples, the book covers everything from dealing with medical crises to resolving school problems, sibling conflicts, and marital str

Author Biography

Mary A. Fristad is Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Ohio State University, where she is also Director of Research and Psychological Services in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Part I UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S PROBLEMS
1. Difficult, Temperamental, Impossible: The Challenge of Raising a Moody Child	3	(12)
2. What's Wrong with My Child?	15	(35)
3. Why My Child?	50	(10)
4. The First Step in Getting Good Treatment Is Getting a Good Evaluation	60	(37)
Part II TREATMENT
5. Getting the Big Picture	97	(20)
6. What Do Medications Offer?	117	(21)
7. What Should I Expect from Therapy?	138	(21)
Part III HELPING YOUR CHILD COPE
8. Ten Principles for Managing a Mood Disorder	159	(15)
9. Coping Skills for Moody Children	174	(14)
10. Mood Disorders in the School Setting: What You Need to Know to Help Your Child Cope	188	(24)
11. Crisis Management	212	(11)
Part IV HELPING YOUR FAMILY LIVE WITH A MOOD DISORDER
12. How Mood Disorders Affect Family Life	223	(8)
13. How Can You Help Siblings?	231	(8)
14. How to Take Care of Yourself	239	(8)
Resources	247	(4)
References	251	(4)
Index	255	(5)
About the Authors	260