The problem of being an undiagnosed bipolar is that they see the depression and give you antidepressants which can send bipolars into a hypomanic state or into mixed episodes—very common. Some of us should never be on an antidepressant,especially SSRIs. It depends on the patient. I applaud you for being so caring and trying to get him to the school counselor. I am so sorry to say this, tho. As you know bipolar is very complicated and few people understand it. If the mother who is bipolar has had proper care, she may understand it best,tho his bipolar might have different symptoms . She could consult her psychiatrist and/or psychologist for advice until her teen is old enough to be assessed. What a barbaric rule. Even young children can have bipolar,tho it usually doesn’t show up til later.Many many bipolars are misdiagnosed with only anxiety or depression and hence given the wrong medications. That happened to me. I finally had to diagnose myself, then get it confirmed by a psychiatrist. The poor kid is probably frustrated by not understanding what is going on with him. As a teen he is gong through a lot of adjustments of growing up anyway. Your experience must be helping so much and he is lucky to have you.. Do the parents have the money to have him assessed in another country?