What is the odds of a 4 year old being bipolar if the mother is bipolar?

[inneedofhelpbl]

What is the odds of a 4 year old girl being bipolar if the mother is bipolar and the father is adhd ?

[kathy434]

Bipolar can be identified in a four year old, by a pediatric psychiatrist who is very knowledgeable of Bipolar illness.
If you have BP 1, then it is definitely genetic.  The chance of a child having BP from one parent is about 25%.  With two parents it is about 50%-75% but look up the statistics via the internet to be sure.
There are children this young who can present with bipolar symptoms.  Some children are really wired up, more than what is normal for a four year old.  They may talk very fast and have racing thoughts to the point that they are talking about three subjects within the same breath.  They may be bouncing off the walls and ceiling and there is little the parents can do to calm the child down other that wrapping arms around the child or giving a warm bath, or a special blanket that calms them.  Avoid sugar in the child's foods.
If you think your four year old may be suffering from BP or ADHD then have the child evaluated by a specialist (Psychiatrist) as these disorders can cause a lot of suffering if not dealt with.  If you don't get the answers you understand and deserve or are comfortable with then get a second opinion.  Listen to your gut.
It used to be the belief that nobody has an established personality until they reach around 30 years old.  Then it got down to 20 years old.  Then they started realizing that the ages were getting younger and younger.  I read about one child that was just a baby.  It never could sleep for more than a few minutes at a time.  It was in constant motion, crying, screaming, and basically all over the place.  Another was a four year old, who nobody recognized as ill, just a very lively child to say the least.  She grew up a very intelligent young lady, and quite successful, but very debilitated from her severe mood swings, and self-medication, lack of understanding or believing she was truly ill even though  she knew she could be the life of the party, be wild, lack control, put in incredible hours of work and study etc., only to crash into a severe depression....on and on.  Just reading about her made me feel exhausted.  And I have BP 1 !  Today she is an author.  But the price of all her success was heartbreaking.  So yes a four year old can present with symptoms.  And it might be confused with ADHD.  So a psychiatrist is the person to address these issues with.  Good luck.

[benjimom]

I was told by a therapist if one parent has it the chance is like 25%.

[angelinamarina]

I am sure it is something like 25-50% chance.

There is of course a genetic component.

I thought bipolar is a brain chemistry issue...why would proper raising and nurturing matter?

[sunitacart]

The 4 year old may not be bipolar if he is in the right enviroment with the appropriate support. I highly doubt that a 4 year old would  be bipolar. There might be a different underlying issue. If the child has been raised properly and nurturingly it is unliekly that he will be bipolar like the mother.

[monkeyc]

Are you asking if she might be later in life or if she is now?

bipolar presentation in a 4 year old is far far younger than anything I have seen in the literature and If i was the parent I would be seeking a second opinion.

If you mean might she be it is too early to know - id there a reason why you are asking ? Such as behvaiour ?