by Marcia Purse
On December 1, 2000, I attended the "public" day of this two-day conference in Chicago (day one had been aimed at mental health professionals). Sponsored by the Jean Paul Ohadi Foundation, and organized by the Josselyn Center in Northfield, Illinois, this conference provided an opportunity to find out about the latest thinking in the still emerging world of diagnosing and treating children with bipolar disorder.
Up-Ending Diagnostic Boundaries
The keynote speech was given by Dr. Demitri Papolos, co-author of The Bipolar Child and Overcoming Depression. Dr. Papolos addressed the need for research into new diagnostic criteria for Childhood Onset Bipolar Disorder (COBPD) (also called "Early Onset"). He outlined several such proposed criteria, and noted that there is an extremely high rate of comorbid disorders in childhood BP. For example, more than 90% of children with BP also have ADD/ADHD; 50-60% suffer from separation anxiety disorder; 15-20% have OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). He raised the possibility that we may need to define new diagnostic entities to cover these frequently co-occurring conditions.Report on Dr. Demitri Papolos' Presentation
A Therapist's Perspective
The morning's second speaker was George Lynn, M.A., author of Survival Strategies for Parenting Your ADD Child and Survival Strategies for Parenting Children With Bipolar Disorder. Mr. Lynn, a therapist in private practice, spoke on treating bipolar children and adolescents from a therapist's perspective. He identified five criteria for determining whether a child's condition is due to environmental or inherited factors, and went on discuss, again, problems with comorbid conditions. The approaches toward treatment Mr. Lynn explored were also appropriate methods for parents to use.Re-Thinking the Educational Process
After an excellent luncheon, a presentation was given by Jane Boyd, M.S., and Margot Anderson, M.S.W., members of the Educational Training/Support Team at The Josselyn Center. Ms. Boyd and Ms. Anderson emphasized that for a bipolar child, the focus should be on first providing stability, and letting curriculum come second. They identified strategies for parents to work with the child's educational team and stressed the need for a very individualized Individual Education Program (IEP) based on close observation of the child's unique behavior - because every bipolar child is different, and "one size fits all" will not work.Parent Advocacy
In one of two breakout sessions, Janice Papolos, wife of Demitri and his co-author, appeared in a panel that also included Ira Emkin, M.S.W., Clinical Director of the Josselyn Center, and Ruth Field, President of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation. This fascinating and sometimes sobering discussion examined the grieving process for parents of a bipolar child, looked at parents as case managers, and gave strategies for dealing with the child's psychiatrist, as well as exploring other issues.A Video for Adolescents
In the last session of the day we were treated to a preview of a work in progress: an educational video about adolescents with bipolar disorders produced by The Josselyn Center with support from the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund (U.S.). Several young people who have bipolar disorder spoke about their feelings before and after diagnosis and treatment. It was pointed out that it is hard for young people who suffer from manic-depressive illness to find others to whom they can relate. This video will help fill that need.Conclusion
The Josselyn Center's staff did an excellent job organizing and presenting this conference. In coming weeks I will be doing follow-up interviews with some of the presenters, touring the Josselyn Center, and reporting in more depth on the sessions included in this power-packed conference, including the breakout session I was unable to attend. Congratulations to organizers and speakers alike for a job well done!Warm personal thanks to Steven Vogelstein and Deb Shamlin of the Josselyn Center, and to Janice Papolos, who all made me feel specially welcome throughout the day.
The Jean Paul Ohadi Foundation
The Jean Paul Ohadi Foundation was established in 1998 to honor Jean Paul Ohadi, a young man who suffered from bipolar disorder and was diagnosed after many years of related problems. Sadly, he died when he was only 19 years old.A primary mission of the Ohadi Foundation is to assist efforts and create new opportunities to help in the diagnosis and treatment of youth with bipolar disorders, and to further the dissemination of information among mental health professionals, educators, families and caregivers of those with bipolar disorder.
