How do they tell if it is bipolar or ADHD? Is it controversial to diagnose a child with bipolar? Has anyone got bipolar and when they look back they recognise that they had it as a child?
2007-04-04 00:52:47 · 7 answers · asked by Olivereindeer 5 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Here is an excellent site that addresses the difference, but be aware that PTSD in kids can also look like Bipolar too. Someone who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry needs to be consulted for a definitive diagnosis. The risk of misdiagnosing Bipolar Disorder as ADHD is dangerous as the stimulant meds used effectively for ADHD can trigger rapid cycling and severe manias in kids and may partly explain why we are seeing so much more Bipolar children these days. The book, The Bipolar Child by Demitri & Janice Papolos is the bible on Bipolar kids.
Here's the website:
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-30.htm
Here's the website regarding the book and it has a ton of extremely useful info including newsletters you can sign up for:
http://www.bipolarchild.com/
2007-04-04 02:18:05 · answer #1 · answered by Opester 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am the same as kiki. Now at 20 I have been diagnosed with bipolar for a few years but know that I have had it since at least 14. Then again, there were many many times during my early childhood where I remember periods of crying, I have always been a 'crazy' hyper person.
As for bipolar versus ADHD, they are very different. While they both have high wild crazy times, bipolar always give periods of depression. I have known several children with ADD and ADHD and have never known of them having depressed periods. I have never heard of a child being diagnosed with bipolar, but who knows?
2007-04-04 01:55:55 · answer #2 · answered by one_sweet_little_thing 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. They can diagnose bipolar in children. It's difficult even for professionals to tell when it's bipolar or adhd. Sometimes it's so difficult a doctor has to use the medications as a way of helping to confirm or reject a diagnosis.
2007-04-04 02:47:19 · answer #3 · answered by Andy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes childen can be diagnosed with Bipolar. I have Bipolar and i know for a fact as a child i had it., but i am like you., not sure if it was ADHD or Bipolar. I know it followed me to my adult years. I am now on meds for life. Hope this helps. Good Luck.
2007-04-04 01:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by kiki 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can be diagnosed in children. I know of a now 12 year old girl who was diagnosed 2 years ago after she tried to kill herself and did succeed in killing her pet rabbit. She spent some time in a mental facility where she received wonderful care. She had originally been diagnosed with ADHD, but I do believe that has been changed now that they realize she is bipolar.
2007-04-04 00:59:18 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ terry g ♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. Look at the DSMIV. Jeeze, we have to do everything for you ;-)
2007-04-04 02:09:25 · answer #6 · answered by roydunsfeld 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes they can
2007-04-04 00:55:33 · answer #7 · answered by Linda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋