A child can be born bi polar, but it will not be bothered by it until it is maybe 4 or 5. A chemical imblance that causes depression can be in a baby, but depression will not saddan the baby until it is much older 6 or 7 becasue it's thoughts will not be complex enough to understand constant sadness.

It can be hereditary. But usually certain life events manifest it when the child is much older. But probably not impossible if the baby or child has had a rough start in life.

According to the NIMH: The illness, which is usually diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood, is a serious and disabling mood disorder that, if untreated, carries an elevated risk of suicide. Sufferers typically cycle between manic highs, in which they can go for days without sleep in the grip of grandiose delusions, and depressive lows, marked by a preoccupation with death and feelings of worthlessness. There is no test for bipolar illness, which is believed to result from a poorly understood interplay between genetics and environment. Although the disease runs in families, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), most children with one bipolar parent won't develop the illness. Their risk is about 10 to 15 percent compared with 1 percent among the general population. NIMH officials say there are no reliable statistics on the risk posed by having two bipolar parents. So I am going to say that it is safe to think that an infant woudl nto be showing signs of being bipolar until it can actually think and feel at the level talked about above. There is no way really to check and seeif a baby is having a manic episode or a high high episode. Since it is a disorder that is regulated but te chemical properties of our brain I am going to have to say that it is also to soon to say whether an infant is bipolar or is going to be. the brain does not fully work at that age nor does it function at its full potential. Depression also comes from chemical imbalances if it is a clinical depression or it can be depression brought on by an incident in life. Both of which would be treated the same way, meds and therapy. But if a child is not able to comprehend life or its surroundings as an adult can then I would say that depression is not something that affects a baby. But remember nothing is impossible and there is no way of us knowing or understanding all that the brain in capable and incapable of.

Absoloutely! I have 2 children that are bi-polar. I have known from day 1 with my oldest that there was something really wrong with her. Doctors told me day 2 of her life that she was hyper active. She had so much energy, did not sleep from day 1. My 2nd child was similar but he was angry from day one. He had a tough time sleeping, staying asleep. He became so agressive as an infant I could not take him to the park unless i STOOD NEXT TO HIM THE ENTIRE TIME! He would attack the other babies: pulling hair(and not letting go), biting, etc. He is now 12 and let me tell you he is full blown. As a mom that love my babies more then life this has been a huge life sentence for me. Very painful life for all of us. Both are on major meds. 2nd is not getting better. Has been hospitalized twice now. 1st seems to dormant for the moment. I am just waiting for the next challenge to hit with her.

I had to chime in on this. My daughter (now 25) and I believe she was bipolar in the womb. She absolutely screamed (not cried) as soon as her nose was suctioned out in the delivery room. During visiting hours, she was the only sreaming baby. I brought her home at 3:00PM and she cried non stop until 4:00 AM! She did not sleep through the night until she was 7. We are currently seeking furhter reseach into bipolar infants. Hope this helps!