I do not agree at ALL - but being active in NAMI, they Do and have a lot of information and support groups, for the earlier diagnoses...

You might get more support, and less drama there - not there here is bad! LOL But I ABSOLUTELY could argue this point... 7 years old is too young, and I also think drugging kids that are growing? Yikes...

Nami.org does, and want me to pass the word! LOL so, my opinions are not important, if you need SUPPORT and HELP : )

Thanks. I'll check out the web site. "drugging kids" is NOT the same as TREATING them for a mental disorder under a physicians care IMO. I would never drug my kid and seriously do not really like all the meds he's currently taking for ADHD. But I love him and I think any parent wants the best and does not want to see their children suffer. And that's EXACTLY why people seek out professionals and others to share various experiences, positive or negative. You're opinion is duly noted. I will explore the website you mentioned. thanks, sassy

it's also worth noting that in the UK bipolar is very rarely diagnosed in children - then only BP1 if it meets the criteria of adult BP. BP2 is not accepted as a diagnosis in the UK. This is from guidelines from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

The feeling is in several countries that this is big pharmas influence in the US - although of course it's still controversial there.

In cases of children in the US I believe different criteria is used to diagnosis bipolar than in adults - but given the same treatment I believe. That's a bit of a worry

Just wanted you to be aware that in other countries medical opinion is that childhood bipolar is very rare -nothing like what is diagnosed and medicated in the US..

Thank you pirate jack.

You are right about the symptoms being simular. The symptoms of ADHD and Bipolar in children are identical...but the characteristics are opposite.

Here in Canada every year 80% of younger children are misdiagnosed with ADHD! It is not until they are adults that the diagnoses is corrected.


Unfortunately, here in Canada the only treatment for children with Bipolar is Lithium at this time. I do have a friend whose daughter is on an anti-depressent but that is only treating one side of the bipolar, and can actually make this disabling disease worse.

Please go with your gut feelings and be persistent with your health care team. All the best to you and your child.

I am on the money making side of a children facility. (They take in children who are really dysfunctional or come from really dysfunctional families). My step grandaughter has had a myriad of problems since she was three ans been to may p-docs and been on several meds. The facility doctore here say BP can'tbe dx'd before age 10.

They told me my grandaugheter (another state) should go to a Children's Hospital Team. They did that in Wisconsin.She is doing better. There are still some huge rough spots but it is better.

My son was diagnosed with ADHD when he was four. We have tried every medication under the sun for ADHD.
It wasn't until he was ten and hospitalized for attempting suicide that the pdoc listened and re-evaluated him. When asked about hearing things, he said he always has. He has conversations with people that aren't there. He often covers his ears and screams, and later tells me that he has to scream louder than the other person to make them stop. He scratches himself, and would cut if he had access to sharp objects. He can be happy, laughing and joking around one minute, and flip into this homicidal, angry at everyone little boy the next, where every action is seen as a threat to him, even if you're just trying to brush his hair, or sitting next to him on the couch watching tv.
Children are just as much capable of having BP as an adult. We're still trying to find the right medication, but these things don't kick in overnight, they have to build up.