Important rights are at stake in the legal issues discussed here, and the outcome of these situations can have profound implications for your family and for your child's future. An attorney can be a valuable consultant; if you have not obtained the desired results through your own efforts, skilled legal representation will almost always help your cause.

You can hire an attorney either for an entire matter or as a consultant for a limited number of hours. Following is basic information on this process.

Q: Does hiring an attorney mean I'm going to be involved in a lawsuit?

The Juvenile Justice System

If your child is prone to impulsive or aggressive acts, you should be prepared for the possibility of an encounter with law enforcement. We all hope that it will never happen to our children, but some teens with bipolar disorder at times lose control and break the law.  This is especially likely when he or she refuses to take medication, uses street drugs and alcohol, has a co-morbid conduct disorder, or becomes unstable and displays poor judgment.

Biography
Lizzie Simon is the author of Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D. Lizzie has appeared on CNN, Fox, NBC, NPR, the New York Post, The Saturday Evening Post, and Nylon Magazine. She has traveled the country to speak to wide-ranging audiences about mental health. Lizzie also co-produced the MTV documentary “True Life: I'm Bipolar”, and has written mental health pieces forTime, CosmoGirl, and bp Magazine. She is a founding member of the Leadership 21 Committee of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.               

Nanci - The Balanced Mind Foundation   
Could you start out by talking a little about your book and what it meant to you to research and write it? 

Lizzie Simon
Sure. When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder there weren't a lot of role models and there weren't books from the point of view of a young person with dreams who wants to know she'll be able to achieve her dreams, even after everything she's been through with bp. I knew if I just told the truth, my truth, that other people would relate and feel more comfortable with their truths. 

compassion   
Lizzie, My daughter, 15 was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in July. She entered an RTC (residential treatment center) a few weeks ago. The stabilization process seems to be taking a very long time. Any suggestions?