from the Wire Services

It is now widely recognized that children can suffer from bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, but the illness can often be effectively managed through medication and therapy, says Lederman. She is co- author with child psychiatrist, Candida Fink of The Ups & Downs of Raising a Bipolar Child: A Survival Guide for Parents (Simon & Schuster), by Judith Lederman and Candida Fink, MD.

Lederman quotes one mother of an eleven-year old child diagnosed bipolar as saying, "I wish I could take him to nochristmasland between Halloween and December 24th because the lights and music and societal thrumming are just too much for him."

Fifty-three percent of parents of bipolar children who responded to a questionnaire noticed mood changes around the change of seasons, while sixty-three percent noticed mood changes around the holidays.

"It is important for parents to maintain a sense of structure, even when the children are off for the holidays," says Lederman, who includes tips for handling mood shifts, school issues and choosing health professionals in the 300 page book. "That may mean opting out of one or two parties, and learning how to recognize signs of stress and being ready to diffuse your child if she seems overloaded."

Lederman's tips include:

• Quiet Zone - Make sure that when you are entertaining, your bipolar child has a special place to go to "detox" during stressful periods.

• The Great Outdoors - Try to schedule some outdoor time in a nearby park or in the backyard.

• Games - Rent some new video games prior to the party so if things get out of hand, you can pull a rabbit out of your hat.