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"To be a man, a boy must see a man."  (J.R. Moehringer)

If you are headed in the wrong direction as a parent - you are allowed to make a U-turn.

Hurt people hurt people.

"Moody" and "unpredictable" are adjectives parents will often use when referring to their teenagers.

Simple rules adhered to when children are young can prevent more serious problems later.

"Rules without relationship leads to rebellion" (Josh McDowell)

"Parents aren't the cause of ADHD, but they are part of the solution." (Kenny Handleman, M.D.)

If it  was going to be easy to raise kids, it never would have started with something called "labour".

The teenage years require a delicate balance between the young person's need to gain independence, and the parent's need to retain authority.

Good parenting requires sacrifice. Childhood lasts for only a few brief years , but it should be given priority while it is passing before your eyes

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Young & Bipolar

YOUNG & BIPOLAR
 
Bipolar = episodes of extraordinary energy and racing grandiose thoughts alternating with periods of    deep, perplexing depression (manic depressive)
 
                  Manic state:
                                    – great energy
                                    – unrealistic “highs”
                                    – go without sleep for days
                                    – rapid speech, flipping topics
                                    – intensely focus on activities or projects to the detriment of everything else
                                    – marked increase in sexual interests- risky sex,  masturbating
                                    – alcohol & drug abuse
                                    – reckless driving
                                    – normal inhibitions gone
                                    – flying thoughts but they do not make sense
 
                  Depressed State:
                                    – deep paralyzing depression
 
 
MOOD SWINGS ARE:
                  – extreme
                  – extensive
                  – potentially self-destructive
 
 CAUSE
                  – not known
                  – imbalance in brain chemistry
                                                      – serotonin
                                                      – norepinephrine
                  – strong evidence of genetic predisposition
 
 
 
80% of Bipolar adults have suicidal ideation
40% of Bipolar adolescents attempt suicide
15% do eventually commit suicide
25% of suicides victims have Bipolar
Bipolar can exist with other mental diseases complicating treatment
Bipolar is a serious mental disease that can be lethal
 
 
 
TREATMENT
                  – medications       – lithium
                                                      – anticonvulsants
                                                      – long term
                  – prognosis for Bipolar is optimistic with  proper and consistent treatment

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Workshops

+ Behaviour Management (now available online)

This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you […]

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+ A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain

  A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain […]

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+ Reading Rescue

A program for children with reading problems

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+ A Guided Tour of ADHD (now available online)

This workshop will present the facts, myths, misconceptions, controversy and […]

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Contact

2720 Rath Street, Putnam, Ontario
NOL 2BO

Phone: (519) 485-4678
Fax: (519) 485-0281

Email: info@rickharper.ca

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Parents' Comments

“We are foster parents who took in a 13 year old girl (going on 18!) and she ran us through the wringer. Rick helped us learn how to set limits that made the difference.”

(G.E. – Strathroy)