Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 7/23/2004

Question
I have bipolar disorder.  I have a 9 year old daughter who is showing symptoms of ADD.  I have been to her doctor and we are beginning a diagnosis.  However, her doctor is reluctant to treat her.  She thinks that she probably has bipolar since I do.  But she does not cycle.  She is not manic.  She doesn't really have any phsycotic symptoms.  Is it possible for a child of a bipolar parent to have ADD instead of bipolar.  I know it is a difficult field but I do not want her treated for the wrong disorder.  And being bipolar myself I would think that I would recognize the signs.

Answer
Dear Lori, It is strange to say you are beginning to diagnose??? In my practice a parent makes an appointment for a 2 hour assessment and at the end of the session the diagnosos is complete.  We know exactly what the child has or has not. Is the doctor reluctant to treat because she does not need treatment or is she unsure?  It is very possible for a child of a bipolar parent to have ADD. It is even more possible for a child with ADD to have a parent on treatment for bipolar but the parent  really also has ADD. AS I have not examined either of you I can only comment from afar, maybe you need a second opinion? I do have a correspondence facility for assessing a patient with spesific questionnaires, without seeing the patient. This method is a very good guide but can never be considered as a final diagnosis. I am very confident of my system while recognising its limitations.