I want to start an interesting discussion with you guys. I think you're all very bright individuals and I think it would be cool to pick your brains!

I've read a bit on childhood/adolescent bipolar disorder. Some doctors and psychologists refuse to diagnose bipolar disorder until the adolescent is at least 16 or 18. (Or whatever age threshold you can think of... 14, 15, 16, 17...) Do you agree or disagree with having an age "threshold"? Why?

Sometimes if one or both parents has bipolar disorder, a psychiatrist or psychologist might be more inclined to diagnose the child with bipolar disorder. But if it the genetic linkage is not obvious, the psychiatrist or psychologist may not give out the Dx.