I am wondering about people who are diagnosed with Bipolar at a very young age, such as myself. I was 12 years old; hardly old enough to even have much experience in life, much less acquire years and years of suppressed feelings. I know it is unusual to be diagnosed at a young age, but it is certainly not impossible. That is why there are adolescent psychiatric units.

Also, I tend to think that children do not suppress feelings very well at all. A 4 year-old having a temper tantrum in a super market is certainly not suppressing their feelings! The ability to suppress feelings is something one gains as they get older, IMHO. Young children tend to say and do pretty much whatever they are feeling at the time... unless there is some kind of severe trauma or abuse.