Chart used to help track mood changes in children.

The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) offers social security benefits for eligible children. Disabled children who have limited income and resources, or who come from homes with limited income and resources, may be eligible to receive social security, or specifically, Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Children can qualify if they meet SSA's definition of disability and if their income and assets fall within eligibility limits.

This is a newspaper article regarding the misdiagnosis of  children and adolescents suffering from Bipolar Disorder is addressed. Experts in the field report that most psychiatrists and pediatricians do not recognize bipolar symptoms in children.  Sheila McDonald, former The Balanced Mind Foundation President, is quoted.

Inspirational article acknowledging the difficulty of watching children encounter relapses in their fight against bipolar disorder.

Editorial by The Balanced Mind Foundation Director Martha Hellander discussing the use of medication in treating children diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Nursing Spectrum. December 15, 2003. Article written by Wendy Bonifazi, RN, CLS, APN. This article looks at some of the issues surrounding the use of (often off-label and untested) psychotropic drugs for children and adolescents as well as the role of psychiatric nurses. Copyright 2003. Nursing Spectrum Nurse Wire (http://www.nursingspectrum.com/). All rights reserved. Used with permission.

The 36-member Consensus Development Panel consisted of experts in child/adolescent or adult psychiatry and psychology, pediatrics, and mental health advocacy. The panel met to focus attention on the unmet needs of children and adolescents with mood disorders and to make recommendations for future research and allocation of healthcare resources. 

An interview with Dr. Kiki Chang about BP children with parents who have BP.  The article covers family history, symptoms and treatment.

Talks about the occurance of Bipolar Disorder in girls with ADHD

An exchange of letters published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38:5 (May 1999): 495-496.

Reprinted with permission of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Lipincott Williams & Wilkins, publishers.