Someone* stated that her 1- and 2-year old daughters had been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. Not a developmental or neurological disorder, not autism, but a psychiatric diagnosis such as panic disorder or bipolar disorder.
Now, I can understand a parent who believes these disorders are mostly or completely genetically-determined wanting to prevent her child from having the same syndrome she does. I can understand being on the watch for signs and symptoms of the disorder so that it can be properly treated if it does manifest. But a 1-year old baby? How is a psychiatric illness going to manifest itself in a 1-year old baby? What sorts of things would a baby do that couldn’t be explained except by giving it a psychiatric diagnosis?
Diagnosing a 1-year old with a psychiatric illness such as this just does not seem right to me. This child is now labeled for its entire life. She and her mother will be constantly on the lookout for behaviors which will confirm the diagnosis. She will probably be medicated starting at an early age and required to attend therapy. I can’t find anything on the Internet that talks about diagnosing babies with anything other than developmental problems, autism, mental retardation, etc. Am I all wrong in this? Is this a way for clinicians to assure the future of their professions? What do you guys think?
*Dear Someone: Please forgive what may seem insulting and offensive to you; I certainly do not mean to give offense or imply anything about you, your children, or your motherhood skills. You appear to be a good-hearted, gentle yet firm, intelligent woman. You just really got me thinking about this.
One of my books on ADD (I forget which one) addresses this question, and from what I remember it hasically boils down to the severity of the behavior. If the behavior is so totally whacked-out and severe, you know be pretty sure that “something” is wrong. As to “what” is wrong, that’s the hard part. Symptoms of various psychiatric conditions are different in young children so only an expert can provide a reliable diagnosis.
I don’t know about a 1-year-old, the book was talking about 2- or 3-year olds.
The American Board of Pediatrics is offering for the first time this fall a subspecialty exam to qualified pediatricians: A Board Certification in the field of Behavioral and Developmental Pediatrics. Frankly, I’d recommend starting with a qualified pediatrician with an interest in this area.