I'm thinking children and young adolescents are prone to quick mood changes and instability anyway. When people get older their "true" selves begin to emerge. I am prone to think such a disorder shouldn't "officially" be labeled until late adolescence, especially since it's a life-time disorder.

I am bipolar and my husband is bipolar. Our sons are in their mid twenties and are not bipolar--at least as yet. Bipolar runs on both sides of our families. But not all our relatives have it.

Why the rush to diagnose? The meds have so many potential side effects and can be debilitating.

That's my take on it anyway.