A Review of Intense Minds by Tracy Anglada

ISBN: 1-4120-8967-0

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This book was written by Tracy Anglada who knows first hand what it's like to raise a child with bipolar. She knows what the moods are like, the deep depression, the thoughts of suicide...all the things that mothers never want to see in their children. Like most concerned caregivers, she researched her son's symptoms, searning for answers. Then did everything in her power to understand. As we all know, once we understand, we are in the best possible position to help others understand. And that's advocacy!

The book is divided into five sections: Darkness Within where we learn about the 'downs' or the deep depressions; Riding the Wave where the discussion is about the 'up' side of bipolar: Mania; The Wind Changes where we read about the other issues children face in bipolar: fear, suicidal thoughts, personal conflict; Survivial where we learn what these kids need in the different environments of their lives to succeed; and Plea For Help where we are given suggestions for parents, health practitioners, teachers, and therapists.

What I loved the most about this book is that Tracy interviewed many children and teens who are actually living with bipolar to share their insight, experiences and thoughts. The quotes from these young people will literally tear at your heart. We can't possibly understand what it's like to live with this confusing, painful, terrifying disorder unless you have it yourself. But these brave young people certainly give us a good idea of what it must be like. They candidly talk about everything from how depression feels to all the confusing and often scary things in mania (eg: swirling thoughts, insomnia, hallucinations, recklessness, need for control and even the impression of arrogance) to thoughts of suicide. We get answers to many "Why?" and "What?" questions many of us have regarding bipolar and Tracy's wonderful writing voice makes the material easy to digest.

The book also has two wonderful Epilogues: One describes what a day in the school life would be like for a child with bipolar both with accomodations as well as without. Both scenarios are through the perspective of the child and gives a very vivid idea of why support, understanding, empathy and COPING TOOLS are so very important to how these children function. The other Epilogue is a list of many useful resources for caregivers of children/teens with bipolar.

I highly recommend this book to anyone raising or loving a young person with bipolar. It is suitable for parents, teachers, therapists, school libraries and, especially, the child himself. I am positive it will give the child the assurance that what he's going through isn't so unusual and he isn't alone.

On a personal note, the book gave me insight into what it must have been like for my mother when she was growing up. She had no support and her illness was swept under the rug. Being raised during a time when such things were way too taboo to discuss, her illness grew as she did until it, and she, were out of control. By the time she had my brother and I in her late teens, her bipolar had 'peaked'. I only wish this book had been around in the earlier days for family and friends of my mom's so they would have been brave enough to get her the help she needed.

Thank you for this book, Tracy, and for getting people talking about this misunderstood disorder.

For more information about Tracy's books, her work and a chance to win a copy of her newest book, " Swivel To Success: Bipolar in the Classroom ", drop by the blog White Elephants: A Blog About Bipolar Disorder.