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shutterbug · 07-28-2006, 04:07 PM

Well, I know that ADD and bipolar are often misdiagnosed, but I've also read that it's typical for many bipolars to also be diagnosed with ADD and vice-versa.

My twin nephews will turn 3 in October and I am already seeing symptoms in both. My mother (their grandma), for obvious reasons, doesn't want to believe me. I started seeing these things in the one born first about 6th months ago and commented to my sister that he may be dealing with ADD. She told me not to say that.

In the past 2 weeks, I've become certain that he is bipolar. I've witnessed the rapid speach, lack of focus and concentration, extreme energy, little sleep, irritable, you name it as far as mania goes (without the adult abilities to over spend and or become hypersexual)...he has been dealing with these things.

I know bipolar diagnosis in children was unheard of until recently, but I personally have strong memories of myself being manic as a child, adelecent and teenager - and my first suicide plan, without reason, at around 12 years old.

I think it's always been there, it's just that people and docs had little knowledge about what it looked like even in adults so no one had a clue about the symptoms children would have been displaying. Because of my own experiences with mania and depression and even more so with my in-depth learning about my disease for the past 2 years....his symptoms are as clear as the nose on my face!

And...my sister's boyfriend has a daughter that's 9 and it's totally clear to me that she has a ton of OCD things going on all the time.

Anyway, does anyone know of any specific information on the web about diagnosing children as young as 2 1/2 with bipolar or ADD?

I haven't said anything to my sister (just our mom), but I want to have some information in hand that will explain (with a more reputable person's words) why it is that I see a diagnosis is in order for my nephew - and perhaps his twin brother too (but I'm not sure about the other one b/c he isn't showing such outright symptoms).

I want someone else's words, like a doctor or therapist, for her to read the reasons of WHY it's so important to get an early diagnosis for whatever is going on.

Anyway, i'm rambling.

Any thoughts or internet resources?

07-28-2006, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
shutterbug A picture's worth a 1000 words Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: With any luck, I'm lost in a view finder Posts: 2,947 Blog Entries: 5	Childhood bipolar and/or ADD symptoms Well, I know that ADD and bipolar are often misdiagnosed, but I've also read that it's typical for many bipolars to also be diagnosed with ADD and vice-versa. My twin nephews will turn 3 in October and I am already seeing symptoms in both. My mother (their grandma), for obvious reasons, doesn't want to believe me. I started seeing these things in the one born first about 6th months ago and commented to my sister that he may be dealing with ADD. She told me not to say that. In the past 2 weeks, I've become certain that he is bipolar. I've witnessed the rapid speach, lack of focus and concentration, extreme energy, little sleep, irritable, you name it as far as mania goes (without the adult abilities to over spend and or become hypersexual)...he has been dealing with these things. I know bipolar diagnosis in children was unheard of until recently, but I personally have strong memories of myself being manic as a child, adelecent and teenager - and my first suicide plan, without reason, at around 12 years old. I think it's always been there, it's just that people and docs had little knowledge about what it looked like even in adults so no one had a clue about the symptoms children would have been displaying. Because of my own experiences with mania and depression and even more so with my in-depth learning about my disease for the past 2 years....his symptoms are as clear as the nose on my face! And...my sister's boyfriend has a daughter that's 9 and it's totally clear to me that she has a ton of OCD things going on all the time. Anyway, does anyone know of any specific information on the web about diagnosing children as young as 2 1/2 with bipolar or ADD? I haven't said anything to my sister (just our mom), but I want to have some information in hand that will explain (with a more reputable person's words) why it is that I see a diagnosis is in order for my nephew - and perhaps his twin brother too (but I'm not sure about the other one b/c he isn't showing such outright symptoms). I want someone else's words, like a doctor or therapist, for her to read the reasons of WHY it's so important to get an early diagnosis for whatever is going on. Anyway, i'm rambling. Any thoughts or internet resources? __________________ I'M FINE!! Fanatically Insecure Neuratic & Emotional Bipolar/Depression support: 1-800-950-NAMI(6264).