[Zen888]

What are some behaviors or symptoms of bipolar disorder in children. Does anyone have legitimate information they could share regarding bipolar disorder in children?

[Pationl]

Originally Posted by Zen888

bipolar disorder in children?

I am afraid you confuse some ADHD symptoms with those of Bipolar.

[madisgram]

i don't know the age of your child but i believe from what i've read that it is difficult to do too early a diagnosis in children. as was stated by the previous response kids tend to have many behaviors that mimic disorders. too quick a diagnosis that turns out to be incorrect in a young child can really upset the apple cart. i'd suggest you have the child evaluated and perhaps express your concerns to the professional.

[Zen888]

I don't have any children other than my 4 pound dog! This is information is for myself.

[theama]

It's too difficult and too dangerous diagnosing a child with bipolar disorder. Bipolars are frequently mis-diagnosed with ADHD and schizophrenia cos the behavior resembles each other somewhat.
Children will be "manic" and act out, it's natural.

But having been a child once myself, and since my disorder was triggered very early (age 7-8); I had my first suicide attempt at age 9, and my first manic episode at age 11-12. No one picked up on it though, and I managed to cope with my disorder for years until I was diagnosed at age 16. I was lucky to get diagnosed so early, cos it's been one heck of a ride since then.

My previous diagnoses, from age 13 to 16, were: winter depression, teenage depression, depression and then dissociation and theories about PTSD. It's hard to diagnose BD in general, and when you're dealing with a child or a teenager it's even harder - cos they act "bipolar" anyway.

PS. I got my diagnosis because I overdosed on (20) rohypnol, (30) sobril - with a jägermeister chaser... because I was bored. Typical mania. I was sent to the isolation at a psychiatric ward where they kept trying to make me say that I was suicidal, which I wasn't, and that's when a little light bulb lit up for the psychiatrist.
Never mind that I had been suicidal, self injuring, being promiscuous and doing drugs, stealing/shoplifting etc for years - it took a drug overdose to get diagnosed. Before you go really overboard with your behavior, to the doctors you might as well be suffering from borderline, schizophrenia, adhd, or a dozen other disorders. That's why it's so hard to get the diagnosis right.