In order for a child to be diagnosed with any condition or illness, there is a checklist of symptoms a doctor will compare to the symptoms or problems the child is experiencing. This is also true for diagnosing your youngster with bipolar disorder. Your doctor will be looking for a cluster of problematic behaviors or emotions your child may be having.
The bulk of the controversy in establishing a childhood diagnosis of bipolar disorder centers on which symptoms indicate bipolar disorder, as opposed to another disorder or even normal behavior, in a youngster.
There are essentially three schools of thought about how to approach diagnosing juvenile bipolar disorder. Do you know which approach your child’s doctor used? Share your experience and thoughts with other readers. ~ Kimberly
The bulk of the controversy in establishing a childhood diagnosis of bipolar disorder centers on which symptoms indicate bipolar disorder, as opposed to another disorder or even normal behavior, in a youngster.
There are essentially three schools of thought about how to approach diagnosing juvenile bipolar disorder. Do you know which approach your child’s doctor used? Share your experience and thoughts with other readers. ~ Kimberly
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my daughter was diagnosed at the age of 7 by cardinal symptomology. she had 95% of the symptoms of early onset bipolar disorder as presented by demitri and janice papolas.
it has been almost 9 years since that diagnosis and we have been struggling with behaviors, mood swings, learning disabilities, and short term memory issues ever since. those are just the most important issues.
which ever method is used, if it leads a parent to find out what is going on with their child and helps the parent cope with raising that child, then i am all for it.
however, i do believe that bipolar disorder in children is over diagnosed and is used as a “catch all”. as a result, i ususally get asked “is your child violent?” when i want her to be able to participate in things other children get to do.
it is essential,i believe, for the doctors to come to a concensus on the symptomology of early onset bipolar disorder because it presents very differently than that of adult onset.
I was diagnosed in ‘88 with bipolar disorder. I felt my daughter had it too, but she was first diagnosed with ADHA for several years. She was then diagnosed with bipolar disorder in her mid teens when she started having more symptoms that they decided was linked to bipolar. I also believe my older grandaughter has it too, she is almost three. She hasn’t been diagnosed. I am not sure about youngest grandaughter yet.