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 clinician and researcher Dr. Mary Fristad and fellow treatment expert Dr. Jill Goldberg Arnold, this indispensable book explains 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 stress.

I. Understanding Your Child's Problems1. Difficult, Temperamental, Impossible: The Challenge of Raising a Moody Child2. What's Wrong with My Child?3. Why My Child?4. The First Step in Getting Good Treatment Is Getting a Good EvaluationII. Treatment5. Getting the Big Picture6. What Do Medications Offer?7. What Should I Expect from Therapy?III. Helping Your Child Cope8. Ten Principles for Managing a Mood Disorder9. Coping Skills for Moody Children10. Mood Disorders in the School Setting: What You Need to Know to Help Your Child Cope11. Crisis ManagementIV. Helping Your Family Live with a Mood Disorder12. How Mood Disorders Affect Family Life13. How Can You Help Siblings?14. How to Take Care of Yourself