Monthly Archives: November 2011

12 easy steps for professionals to misdiagnose child bipolar disorder

• 1. Ignore DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder
• 2. Make up your own criteria for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder
• 3. Believe that because one parent has bipolar disorder a child probably has bipolar disorder.
• 4. Assume that a child who is frequently angry is likely to have bipolar disorder.
• 5.   Assume that a child who is depressed is likely to have bipolar disorder.
• 6. Interpret temper tantrums as mood swings.
• 7. Administer to your patient’s parents The Child Bipolar Questionnaire developed by Demitri F. Papolos.