The percentage of children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder has more than doubled in the past ten years (Youngstrom 2008). Because of the increased risk of drug use and suicide among young adults with bipolar disorder, it is essential that these teens quickly learn the skills they need to manage their symptoms in healthy and positive ways.
The Bipolar Workbook for Teens helps youth develop expertise and resources for managing bipolar disorder. Based in dialectical behavior therapy, this workbook includes worksheets and exercises that assist readers in developing mindfulness, emotion regulation, crisis management, and interpersonal relationship skills. The book both teaches readers strategies for better managing the symptoms of bipolar disorder and helps them to identify and use their unique strengths to build a life that fits their values and goals.
"This is an excellent easy to read workbook for teens suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Teens will identify with the client scenarios shared in the book. It is a straight forward approach to gain knowledge about the illness, learn tools to help overcome symptoms, and practice exercises to establish new thought patterns and behaviours.
Used in conjunction with medication the knowledge and exercises in this book will help teens prevent deterioration, take control of the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder and optimize their quality of life."
-- Linda Jeffery RN, Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, has been in private practice for over thirty years.
She is the manager of Crisis Services of Canadian Mental Health Association Simcoe Branch
About the Authors:
Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, is author of The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder. She works as a mental health therapist in private practice and at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Churchill, ON, Canada. She specializes in the treatment of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric disorders using dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and mindfulness practice.
Karma Guindon, MSW, is a clinical social worker in private practice at Southlake Regional Health Centre and is a college instructor in Churchill, ON, Canada. She specializes in mental health and relationships. Guindon uses an integrated approach that is informed by narrative therapy and postmodern principles.