How Can You Distinguish Aspergers from Bipolar in a 6 Year Old?

HOW CAN YOU DISTINGUISH ASPERGERS FROM BIPOLAR IN A 6 YEAR OLD?

Question: What’s the difference between manic depression and Aspergers? I am wanting to know for my 6 year old son. Thank you. Dr. Heller’s Answer: Aspergers involves poor non verbal communication skills.  Sometimes clumsiness and language problems are an issue. Childhood onset bipolar is completely different.  This is the questionnaire I use for parents of children with childhood onset bipolar:

Childhood bipolar questionnaire: (Please circle any arrow that fits your child)

>>  Difficulties in infancy (such as being overactive in the womb, reduced need for sleep).

>>  Separation anxiety (as if the child was still attached to the umbilical cord)

>>  Precociousness (doing everything early, with extra enthusiasm, “early adults”)

>>  Night terrors (not just bad dreams but vivid bloody.  Not waking up just before being stabbed, but actually witnessing the blood, guts and gore, mutilation)

>>  Fear of death and annihilation

>>  Rages

>>  Oppositional behavior (first reaction is “no,” deliberately breaking rules)

>>  Rapid cycling (definite cycles sometimes in days, sometimes within the day between high energy and depressed)

>>  Oversensitive to stimulation (colors, noises, clothes intolerance – especially collars, labels, and things that don’t feel right)

>>  Out of sync (unable to adapt to changes or “go with the flow”)

>>  Problems with peers

>>  Temperature regulation problems (including taking clothes off because of heat intolerance)

>>  Craving carbohydrates and sweets

>>  Bed-wetting and soiling

>>  Abrupt onset of “excessive” and/or inappropriate “happiness

”>>  Increased sexuality (sexually inappropriate behavior – particularly for age).

>> Hallucinations (hearing voices, seeing things that aren’t there)

>>  Suicidal thoughts

>>  Breaking things out of anger.

>>  Sadistic impulses (wanting to see others hurt)

>>  Staying angry for hours

>>  Extraordinary speaking and artistic skills.

>>  Having no memory of tantrum

>>  “Regression” when angry (baby like, disorganized thinking and language, etc.)

>>  Raging when told “no”

>>  Morning irritability

>>  Morning fuzziness

>>  Morning physical symptoms (like headaches and tummy aches)

>>  Being a bully

>>  Depression a major symptom

>>  Intentional misbehavior

>>  Deliberately seeking risk

>>  Neglect of normal hygiene or grooming

>>  Sarcasm

>>  Inappropriate humor

>>  Racing thoughts

>>  Threats of hostile behavior

>>  Inability to hold a normal conversation

>>  Extreme persistence towards accomplishing tasks

>>  Head banging