I'm already fairly sure my 8-year-old has this. She has just been diagnosed with "dysregulated moods" and "oppositional behaviors." They don't want to label her, but they said they think it is the early onset bipolar disorder. I have always known somethings was wrong and took her to a psychiatrist at age 3.

I've been through lots of people since then and feel like I'm just now onto what it really is. I've been through all the "you are just a bad parent" "your kid is just difficult" "your kid has ODD or ADHD" etc. But, none of those actually fit. I think this is it. I'm not happy this is probably her problem, but at least if I know what it is we can help her.

She just started medication for this and it is being taken into account by her teachers although not actually on the IEP (she already has one for something else).

I'm afraid there's no straightforward answer to your question. The questionnaire is a screening device, and the scoring is an indicator of the probability of bipolar disorder. Your child's score falls within that vague range of "possible bipolar disorder." In the words of Dimitri Papolos, "Possible means possible." The questionnaire will not give anyone a definitive Yes/No answer to diagnosis. As frustrating as that sounds, think of it this way: "possible" is more suggestive of bipolar disorder than "unlikely." You might want to reread the Scoring Guidelines info at http://jbrf.org/algorithms/cbq_sample_clinician.cfm which concludes:

"The CBQ can not make a definitive diagnosis, which requires a careful diagnostic evaluation by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other qualified clinician. Only an experienced diagnostician with a full understanding of the family history, as well as the symptoms and behaviors that the child exhibits, is qualified to make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The CBQ may serve as an integral part of such an evaluation."

You'll want to take this screening instrument to your child's doctor, along with the Jeannie Illustrated Interview for Children. It's not the score that will interest the doctor, but the individual items, which make a great springboard for discussion in understanding the range of symptoms your child displays and helps the doctor not only diagnose the illness but also recommend suitable medication and other treatment.

Daunna Minnich
Moderator, JBRF Education Forum