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Is it possible to develop bipolar in childhood? Does the same diagnostic criteria for bipolar in adults apply for children?

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Yes but it is referred to as Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder in DSM 5 and is characterized by persistent irritability and frequent episodes of extreme, out-of-control behavior.

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    $\begingroup$ This seems partially backed up in the Pediatric News article "When is it bipolar disorder and when is it DMDD?": "A new diagnosis called disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) was introduced into the DSM-5 to describe these chronically irritable children and, in part, to reduce the number of children receiving a bipolar diagnosis." However, it makes no claim that it is always diagnosed as DMDD as you imply in this answer. -1 $\endgroup$
    – Steven Jeuris
    Oct 5, 2018 at 9:36

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