The article states that the couple expected the child to be "bipolar" because his birth mother was "bipolar," hence in looking for behavior that would indicate moodiness, they either caused the behavior that gets the label or are just looking at a normal child in the worst possible light. Biopsych ain't it grand?

Weighted blankets and bookbags..? That sounds more like a sensory integration issue than bipolar.

There isn't anywhere near enough information in that article to say there is definitely "something dramatic going" on with Caleb. Several huge red flags:

1) Large tantrums before the age of two presented as evidence of "bipolar". ALL young toddlers have huge mood swings, and go from laughing to screaming on the turn of a dime, for mysterious reasons unfathomable to grown-ups. Plenty of toddlers get worse if you hold them during a tantrum. Even the most fear-mongering parenting books describe this as NORMAL.

2) He is adopted and the parents *know* the birth mother was diagnosed bipolar. If you are watching a toddler and expecting/fearing signs of mental illness, you will see them. All toddlers are pretty crazy, even the most chill ones.

3) He is black. In adults, there is longstanding evidence of over-diagnosis of schizophrenia among african-americans. I don't know the pediatric or bipolar-specific evidence, but I certainly wouldn't rule out a component of racial bias in this boy's diagnosis.

This doesn't mean there is nothing up with this kid, but the info given in the article is not anywhere close to convincing. Maybe this is easier for me to see since I have a (delightful, energetic, occasionally infuriating) 22 month old, but I'm surprised you found this convincing.

Disgusting. This child is adopted. And his behavior as described is very normal. Its not a psychotic mood swing. It's a normal temper tantrum. He was adopted. He probably has a disorganized attachment to his adopted caregivers and it's almost impossible he doesn't. Those feelings and that kind of attachment for adopted children can be terrifying. Those feelings stemming from disorganized attchment can drive a normal child to do almost anything. He deserves empathy and whatever thorough care it takes to help him no matter how disruptive it is to his parents lives. He's a child. This is exactly what the Child Bipolar Mafia calls Bipolar Disorder. Even without invoking a cause, a temper tantrum isn't a psychotic mood swing... like mania, which lasts for weeks in adults. This is a shame and the child deserves better. His parents and the professionals involved should be held accountable. Poor thing. Adopted, and this is the kind of treatment he's being subjected to? It's too bad he can't speak up for himself, yet.

My armchair obervation about Child Bipolar Disorder, having been (mis)diagnosed by a psychiatrist who works at Biederman's Clinic in Boston, is: Children who end up with this diagnosis have one or several of the following problems in almost any case: adopted - foster care, disorganized attachment to their caregivers, untold violence in the home or perpetrated against them, relative low-income, and some unrecognized deficiency in care-giving or the environment. Some children can become psychotic or manic, but you never hear about it because it doesnt happen all that often except under the most extreme circumstances. Lock a baby monkey in a lightless box for two weeks and see if it isn't psychotic. We know what happens when children are locked in closets for years of their life unfortunately... Presumably, this child hasn't been locked in a closet for years, or anything like that, but the emotional and behavioral suffering of adopted children is well known. It should not be conflated with some imaginary mood disorder. This child deserves real, effective, thorough, empathic help. The professionals responsible for this should be held accountable. My heart breaks for this innocent misunderstood child.

Agreed. As kids get older, their moods swings are less extreme, but my step-daughter is pushing 7 and a time out can still trigger a temper tantrum. That is not indicative of an issue - that's normal.

JC--I think some of the hysteria about attachment for adopted kids gets blown out of proportion, in much the same way as childhood bipolar (both are certainly subject to varied interpretation). Fear something will go wrong with "attachment" can cause parents/doctors/caregivers to see problems where none exist, where what you really have is a kid who is going through the regular difficulties of growing up. I'm totally with you on "innocent" and "misunderstood" though.

Again, I'm not saying nothing is up with this kid, just that absolutely nothing presented is at all convincing. I'd also like to steer clear of parent blaming. My guess is that this kids is getting too much care and concern, not too little. In general, parents, teachers and doctors are trying to do the right thing, but with limited understanding.

One thing completely normal for a toddler is temper tantrums, and should be expected, that's part of raising kids. One of my (now college graduates) was deemed "Ninja (her name)" because she was hell on wheels as a toddler.

Sally,
DSM-5 will make all the efforts to attach mental disorder and genetics.
I'm deeply concerned about DSM-5.

"Bipolar" should disappear!

No mania= no bipolar.
You are so right Philip.
I prefer the old division "psychotic" "neurotic"
Things were much clear and there was room for different approach other than psychiatry.
Everybody is bipolar nowadays.

I hope you are fine Philip.
Hope Stephany is taking a break from tapering.

I'll come here from time to time.

Forgot to stress that DSM-5 is also putting too much attention on children.
That's too scary.

Hammer, meet nail:

Children who end up with this diagnosis have one or several of the following problems in almost any case: adopted - foster care, disorganized attachment to their caregivers, untold violence in the home or perpetrated against them, relative low-income, and some unrecognized deficiency in care-giving or the environment.

The statistical majority and caseworkers, experts, and policy-makers know it. If only children had human rights. If only family life under patriarchy wasn't sacrosanct. Thanks JC for doing your part to end the silence.

It's that tragic double bind, if a child has abusive parents, it's unfortunately quite likely any foster care situation s/he's removed to will be worse.

I hear ya JC. I could not have said it better.
One other things they neglected to mention: the basis for our speculations on attachment problems. Why were these two children up for adoption? Were the parents neglectful? Abusive?Oh, sorry, I assumed there would be a dad involved. My bad.

If this kid has been abused or neglected, his behaviors would be seen (by me but I don't have an rx pad) as appropriate for the circumstances, and requiring some TLC plus firm parenting, plus patience.

Of course, poor parenting has nothing to do with this stuff. Just drug the kid up until everyone is happy (cuz all of us adults are making money off the drugged kid).

My 2yo threw a tantrum last nite just like this. For ten minutes. Then, it ran its course, and he was happy again. Uh, oh - mood swings!!!! Better drug him up!!!