So how do you tell a bipolar kid from one who has adhd or conduct disorder?

GREAT QUESTION: Adhd & bpd share a seamless boundary & are often comorbid (occur together) with each other. The cbcl (http://vinst.Umdnj.Edu/vaid/testreport.Asp?Code=cbca) is a helpful tool your doctor can use to help differentiate them. Adhd kids are usually happier and are sweethearts. Bpd kids more often have chronic irritability and can be very destructive, purposefully aggressive, mean & hurtful.

A good assessment: While children who have adhd and who have bipolar disorder share some symptoms, a mental health expert can identify specific symptoms like severe insomnia, severe long-lasting mood changes, or psychosis that happen in bipolar disorder and not adhd. Conduct disorder just means a child or adolescent who engages in criminal behavior and can occur with adhd, a mood problem or by itself.

Difficult: Irritability is an indicator of bpd. Depression, irritability, grandiosity, aggression, dyssomnia, euphoria, excessive anger, cycling, are typical bpd symptoms. Adhd hasnt these. But impulsive add behavior can emulate them. Some docs see a blurred border between the two conditions. They also occur together frequently. These comorbidities are best managed by developmental doc or psychiatrist.