I'm 65, female, diagnosed at 8 clinically depressed--at 63 bipolar II. Since my folks sought the dx at 8, they would have supported whatever--mom knew family was messed up (depression, alcoholism both sides).

I remember the child psychiatrist they found through the school system. She was a heavy smoker and choked/coughed her way through the interview. I was worried she was going to stroke out (don't think I knew that term tho). I'm sure finding her (much less deciding to come forward in our small town in 1950s FL & seek help for me) could not have been easy.

Getting a second opinion might have been nice, tho.