| Parenting a child with bipolar disorder presents its own | | | | Feel free to ask the doctor any questions you may |
| unique challenges. Family and friends may have | | | | have. You are your child's advocate. You should |
| attributed your child's difficult behavior to stubbornness | | | | understand the disorder and the symptoms that your |
| or other personality flaws. They may disagree with | | | | child is experiencing. The communication with your |
| your parenting skills, however it is important to | | | | child's doctor is a two-way street. Who better than |
| recognize and accept bipolar disorder for what it is - | | | | you can tell the doctor whether or not the treatment is |
| just another medical condition. If your child had epilepsy, | | | | working? Some parents find it helpful to keep a log or |
| no one would blame you or your child right? | | | | calendar to note your child's symptoms. If you feel like |
| Educating yourself about bipolar disorder is important | | | | your child's doctor does not understand the severity of |
| when your child is diagnosed with this disorder. You will | | | | your child's episodes, you might want to videotape the |
| need all that knowledge you can absorb in order to | | | | rage episodes. |
| crop with what is laying ahead of you. Online support | | | | Therapy is an essential tool when learning how to |
| groups can provide a wealth of information. Offline | | | | manage bipolar disorder. Therapy teaches your child |
| support groups will also give you the opportunity to | | | | how to recognize warning signs of the illness and cope |
| speak to other parents dealing with the same issues. | | | | with their emotions. Family therapy can be helpful to |
| It is important to take good care of yourself when | | | | the bipolar child and the whole family as each individual |
| parenting a bipolar child. Eating healthy, getting proper | | | | must learn about the disorder. Bipolar disorder inevitably |
| rest, and doing things for yourself can help you cope | | | | affects everyone in the family. |
| with the stress of the demands of parenting a child | | | | It is important that you get your bipolar child the |
| with special needs. On top of that, eating a balanced | | | | treatment that they need. The sooner bipolar disorder |
| diet could also help regulate your child's mood and | | | | is treated, the better. If left untreated, it can only get |
| gives the nutrition required by a growing child. | | | | worse. A majority of adolescents with untreated |
| Exercise can help your child burn off excess energy. | | | | bipolar disorder end up abusing alcohol or drugs. Bipolar |
| This is especially beneficial if you recognize the signs | | | | disorder is highly treatable. Finally, there is no reason to |
| of an impending mania or rage. Keeping a regular | | | | believe that your child will not be able to go on to lead |
| schedule, especially for sleep, can also help you | | | | a productive life. |
| manage bipolar symptoms. | | | | |