Bipolar Disorder/Child diagnosis

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Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 7/21/2006


Question
Is it illegal to diagnose a minor as bi-polar?  Someone told me it was both illegal to diagnose a minor as bi-polar and equally illegal to treat them. Is there any truth to this?

Answer
Dear BK:

No, it is definitely not illegal to either diagnose or treat a minor for bi-polar disorder!

Many doctors do not like to give this diagnosis to a young child because they don't want to see him/her labeled at a young age.  Usually they will list the diagnosis as a dysthymic (mood) disorder.  There is, however, no legal reason for this.

                        Joyce A. Anthony

Bipolar Disorder

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Joyce A. Anthony

Expertise

I can answer questions dealing with bipolar disorder in a parent, yourself or your child. I can give suggestions and insight into what can be expected of many medications for bipolar disorder. My most extensive knowledge is in children with bipolar disorder. Here I can give advice on dealing with daily events, schools, medication and professionals.

Experience

I am the daughter of a bipolar/schizophrenic parent, am bipolar myself and am raising a bipolar child. I have a background in Psychology from Gannon University, have run several parenting classes for those parenting bipolar children and have had extensive experience with medications, the school system, homeschooling a special needs child, dealing with counselors, doctors and other professionals in the mental health field. I write for a bipolar website, with the focus on educating the child with bipolar disorder on his/her illness.

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