Parents of teens with Bi Polar disorder, can you answer? How old was your child when they were diagnosed? How many psychiatrists did you see before they were diagnosed and how has medication effected your child? My daughter is 8 years old and we have been seeing a psychiatrist for almost 2 years now. He says that she has severe anxiety problems, ADD, mild OCD and depression. We have noticed different things with her since birth, but things got real bad 2 years ago. There is bi polar in the family, but the Dr. doesn't want to say she has bi polar disorder, but will say that she is cycling and that he may have to try mood stabilizers on her because we are at the end of the medication list. I am worried about this, but am worried about her also. She has such good days and such bad days. I have looked on the internet, but hearing what other parents have gone through would be a little help. Thank you for your time.

Summarized question: What is a good age to diagnose a child with bipolar disorder and how many psychiatrists should you see before they were diagnosed and how the medication affects the child?