shutterbug i have done loads of research into early onset bipolar disorder....my son was reacently diagnosed with aspergers syndrome which a form of autism but for years i suspected that it could have been bp...his biological father, paternal grandmother, 2 paternal aunts, paternal uncle, maternal grandmother, and 2 maternal great-great-grandfathers all are/were bp...and it is hereditary. all three disorders are very similar in childrem...and are very very difficult to diagnose in children. the
www.bpkids.com website is absolutely one of the very best resources...you can download questionaires from the site to fill out and everything. the 2 md's who publish the site are experts on early onset bipolar disorder and i truely recommend checking thier books out from the library and reading them. they have a clinic in connecticut and they are the authorities. also when searching for info on the web...use early onset bipolar disorder as your search words....that will get you the best results....good luck....if you have any more questions give me a shout....i can even mail you some of the research i have i have TONS of it!!!!!
rachel