Ask the Therapist
Is 13 to Early for a Diagnosis?
Isn't thirteen too young to diagnose a child, a girl who seems to fit the descriptions? She is close to her basketball and soccer teammates, does fine in school, neat.
We positively know she had a good early childhood, but perhaps, if genetic, it explains her birth mother's erratic behavior. She was adopted at age 3 months, visited prior to adoption by her birth mother on several occasions. We knew the foster family as well.
Thirteen, with its hormonal changes, seems too young to be so diagnosed when her growth spurt
is just beginning.. Yes, she is moody, becomes enraged, said she always "feels sad inside."
She's on a small dose of Xanax which has helped make the rages less extreme.
Conventionally, BPD constellates between the ages of 10 and 18. But, it depends on the child and, as you've noted, a whole bunch of other factors. Without more information, I can't make a judgement, but I will say your suspicions are well grounded. Also, Xanax is a dose-based traquilizer...not a drug I would consider for a kid to "calm them down". Just an opinion, but you might want to look at that.
