The Childhood Bipolar Disorder

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What is the role of the therapist?
 
     As you build your child’s treatment team, you will find that there are several members of the team who can help support and compliment the treatment provided by the psychiatrist. A therapist is one of these support members who can play an important role. Research has demonstrated that children with bipolar disorder who have intensive therapy along with medication have better outcomes than those who do not. There are many kinds of therapists and many different therapeutic techniques. Your child’s psychiatrist may be best suited to recommend a particular therapist and kind of therapy for your child. The goals of therapy may include:
 
  • Education - A therapist can work with you and your child to help you both understand and deal with his illness in a healthy way.

 

  • Compliance - Many patients don’t stick to the treatment plan outlined by the psychiatrist. A therapist can help young people learn the importance of compliance.

 

  • Brain Health - A therapist can teach overall brain health to promote better functioning. Brain health includes regular sleep schedules, healthy eating and exercise. It also includes avoiding such things as violent entertainment.

 

  • Identifying Triggers - Identifying situations that can increase symptoms can help your child recognize and avoid problem areas such as over-stimulation.

 

  • Calming Strategies - Your child’s therapist may work with him on using calming strategies both as part of an ongoing daily brain health program, but also as a way to be aware of his mood states.

 

  • Stress Reduction - Teaching your child what stress is, how it can affect his illness and how to reduce it is a wonderful way that the therapist can make a lasting impact.

 

  • Special Concerns- The therapist should also help address any additional concerns specific to your child, such as learning difficulties.

 

     The key to success with therapy is choosing a skilled therapist and working intensively with him. Whatever the chosen therapy, make sure that it is frequent enough and lasts long enough to really make a difference for your child. Intensive therapy would be 1-2 times a week over a period of 6-9 months or longer if required. These factors matter more than the actual type of therapy chosen.

 

 

Excerpt from The Childhood Bipolar Disorder Answer Book published by Sourcebooks, Inc.
Copyright 2008 by Tracy Anglada and Sheryl Hakala All Rights Reserved