I agree that psychiatrists and child therapists should be very thorough in their evaluations, because I'm sure there are both misdiagnosed and proper ones for bipolar disorder.

I think it's difficult in that children's bipolar hypomania or mania often presents with rants, angry outbursts, hyperactivity and/or violence. There are just so darned many conditions that present that way, including major teenage strife and trauma. I am sure that my bipolar disorder started at 14 years old, or even younger. It did become easier to identify that beginning point after years of issues, just as it can be clearer to some that bipolar disorder wasn't the right dx. Either way, it's a shame when there is misdiagnosis or lack of.