Childhood bipolar and/or ADD symptoms

[shutterbug]

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?

[ranae1221]

I don't really know much about Bipolar and kids, however it would not surprise me to hear that it can be found in kids as well.

Here are some websites I found. I will let you know if I find any more that may be helpful

http://www.nmha.org/children/childre.../promoting.cfm

http://www.bpkids.org/

http://www.chadd.org/

http://www.bipolarchild.com/articles.html

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/kids_diag/a/red_flags4.htm

[happyagain]

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

[Paco]

shutterbug this is paco thanks fore making me feel alive in responding .i think you have a big heart. that is the same with me i hate it gets me in trouble sometimes but i have to be true too it.i have prolblems yes just i cant let them overcome me. like who is driving your busss i have more rehabe than i care to think about. the people that i have meet are good human-begines as the indians would say i am part indian mixed breed just my proublmes are mine