2-Day Childhood Bipolar Disorder Conference

Childhood Bipolar Disorder Identification, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Thursday October 29th & Friday October 30th, 2026 8:45am-4:15pm Pacific Time

Virtual conference via Zoom

Registration Options

Register for a free account to access CMHRC continuing education content.

After registering for your free account you will be able to complete your registration for this 2-Day conference.

Please note that your registration is not confirmed until you have made payment.

NBCC Credits: Children’s Mental Health Resource Center has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7986. programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Children’s Mental Health Resource Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Register Here for 10.5 credits from NBCC for $299

ASWB ACE Credits: Children’s Mental Health Resource Center, provider # 2471, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/11/2026-9/11/2029.

Register Here for 12 Credits from ASWB for $349

Agenda

*Pacific Daylight Time, please check your local time zone for start and end times.

Day 1 8:45am-4:15pm*
  • 8:45AM
Welcome (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • Introduction to CMHRC
  • 9:00AM – 10:30AM
  • 1.5 CE Credits

Understanding Misdiagnosis

  • Look at why practitioners often miss a diagnosis of bipolar in children, how to distinguish bipolar from other diagnoses, and best practices for treating bipolar in childhood.
  • 10:30AM – 10:45AM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 10:45AM – 12:15PM
  • 1.5 CE Credits

Can Kids Have Bipolar? 

  • Discover the unique challenges to diagnosing pediatric onset bipolar disorder, what the research says about prevalence and risk factors, and what assessments and treatment modalities are most effective.
  • 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Lunch (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 1:00PM – 2:30PM
  • 1.5 CE Credits

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar in Children and Adolescents

  • Symptoms of bipolar present differently in children and early teens than they do in adults. But the DSM only includes the adult symptoms in the diagnostic criteria. Discover how to identify symptoms of bipolar in pediatrics.
  • 2:30PM – 2:45PM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 2:45PM – 4:15PM
  • 1.5 CE Credits through ASWB only

What is FOH or TSDD, the newly recognized phenotype of bipolar disorder?

  • Understand the biological and physiological symptoms associated with the new phenotype of bipolar, Fear of Harm, and compare these symptoms to other diagnoses in order to determine an effective treatment plan.

Day 1 Totals:

6 CE Credits from ASWB

4.5 CE Credits from NBCC

  • 8:45AM
Welcome (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 9:00AM – 10:30AM
  • 1.5 CE Credits
Differentiating Bipolar & ADHD
  • Compare symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder, and how medication and culture impact diagnosis.
  • 10:30AM – 10:45AM
Break (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 10:45AM – 12:15PM
  • 1.5 CE Credits
Differentiating Bipolar Disorder (BD) & Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in Teens
  • Discuss similarities in symptom presentation between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, how trauma impacts both diagnoses, and effective paths to treatment.
  • 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Lunch (Not Included in CE Credits)
  • 1:00PM – 2:30PM
  • 1.5 CE Credits

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & Trauma

  • One of the most common questions we're asked when talking about bipolar in children is, "How do you know it's not trauma?" Learn to differentiate these two diagnostic categories with easy to spot differences, and learn the differences needed in treatment to find successful recovery.
  • 2:30PM – 2:45PM

Break (Not Included in CE Credits)

  • 2:45PM – 4:15PM
  • 1.5 CE Credits

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & DMDD

  • Learn a structured, evidence-based framework for making the distinction between DMDD and bipolar in children and teens. Strengthen skills in differential diagnosis, comorbidity recognition, and evidence-based treatments.

Day 2 Total: 6 CE Credits

from ASWB and NBCC

Session Descriptions

Day 1

Understanding Misdiagnosis

  • 1.5 CE Credits
Practitioners often feel stuck within a system that disempowers them to meet their patients where they are. Hedged in by insurance requirements and formulaic diagnostic codes, providers are thwarted even when they feel criteria is met for certain diagnoses like bipolar. Many disorders share commonalities which can cause confusion. Yet, an accurate diagnosis is imperative for effective treatment. Neuroprotection, social and emotional development, and healthy relationships are dependent upon more accurate, and effective treatment for everyone, especially children.
In this session, you will:
  • Describe why skilled practitioners can still miss a diagnosis of bipolar in children
  • Identify areas of symptom overlap between bipolar and other diagnoses such as DMDD and ADHD
  • Compare symptoms of bipolar in children and how they differ from symptoms of bipolar in adults

Can Kids Have Bipolar?

  • 1.5 CE Credits

Research shows that 50% of mental illness begins before age fourteen, and there is an average 10-year treatment onset delay. Research also shows that bipolar disorder affects about 1-5% of the total population; when one parent has bipolar disorder, the risk to each child is l5% – 30%; when both parents have bipolar disorder, the risk increases to 50% – 75%; 1/3 of all children and teens diagnosed with depression are misdiagnosed and actually live with bipolar disorder; and those diagnosed with bipolar have a rate of suicide ten to thirty times higher than the general population. Given the vulnerability of children and adolescents, it is crucial to recognize  symptoms of bipolar and how to complete a full differential diagnosis.

In this session, you will:
  • Describe bipolar disorder and some of the unique challenges to diagnosing pediatric onset bipolar disorder
  • Compare the symptoms of pediatric onset bipolar to the symptoms of late adolescent or adult onset bipolar
  • Identify recommended steps to diagnosing and proven assessments for pediatric onset bipolar disorder
  • Define effective treatment interventions

Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar in Children and Adolescents

  • 1.5 CE Credits

Symptoms of bipolar disorder present differently in children and early teens than they do in adults. Unfortunately, the DSM only includes the adult symptom presentation in the diagnostic criteria, and this causes confusion, and hesitation, when diagnosing children and early teens. With an average 10 year treatment onset delay, it is even more imperative that we recognize the symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and understand how to differentiate them from typical development.

In this session, you will:
  • Identify the symptom presentation of bipolar disorder in children
  • Differentiate the symptom presentation of bipolar disorder in children and early teens with that of bipolar disorder in adulthood
  • Compare the symptoms of bipolar disorder in childhood to typical developmental stages
  • Define effective treatment approaches

What is Fear of Harm (FOH)?

  • 1.5 CE Credits through ASWB only
Thermoregulatory Sleep Dysregulation Disorder, more commonly known as “Fear of Harm”, or FOH, is a newly identified phenotype of bipolar disorder impacting approximately 1/3 of all individuals who live with bipolar. Since it is a normal human experience to have fear of being harmed, the name of this disorder can be misleading. However, exaggerated fears along with temperature and sleep disruptions are the hallmarks of this illness. The combination of biological and physiological symptoms make FOH unique in psychiatry. Participants will learn about this newly identified disorder directly from an expert involved in its research.
In this session, you will:
  • Explain how the FOH phenotype was identified
  • Identify the symptoms of FOH and how they present
  • Compare FOH to other diagnosis
  • Determine appropriate treatments for FOH

Day 2

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & ADHD

  • 1.5 CE Credits

The DSM was designed to classify observable symptoms into a diagnosis, but this becomes difficult when those same symptoms reappear multiple times in different diagnoses. This variability requires a closer look at not just the symptom description, but the how and why the symptoms are manifesting. Dr. Charles Popper insists that all of the features of ADHD can be seen in mood disorders at a given time, so it is necessary to rule out a mood disorder prior to diagnosing ADHD. This session provides an in-depth inspection of symptoms to ensure an accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment path.

In this session, you will:
  • Analyze the findings differentiating neuropsychological factors of treated children with pediatric bipolar from those with attention deficit disorder
  • Compare the symptom similarities between ADHD and bipolar disorder
  • Describe the effect of lithium on bipolar disorder versus ADHD
  • Consider cross-cultural implications to misdiagnosis

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder (BD) & Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in Teens

  • 1.5 CE Credits
In the throes of adolescence, change is happening rapidly in not only the body, but the brain as well. These changes can prompt big behaviors, emotional dysregulation, and relationship instability that is confusing, difficult to manage, and often misunderstood. The DSM can be used to classify these symptoms into a diagnosis, but as we have learned, this becomes difficult when they reappear multiple times in different diagnoses. Determining a relational trigger versus a mood disturbance, and not just looking at symptom descriptions can ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.
In this session, you will:
  • Compare the symptom similarities between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder
  • Determine the role of trauma in both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder
  • Identify effective treatments for bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & Trauma

  • 1.5 CE Credits

One of the most common questions we’re asked when talking about mood disorder symptoms in children is, “How do you know they aren’t trauma based?” It’s a great question, but there are differences to spot, and once you do, it can make all the difference in the diagnostic process. Explore with us as we have a discussion with experts in both childhood onset bipolar and other disorders as well as trauma. Ways to differentiate these two diagnostic categories to ensure that the treatment you’re providing matches the child’s needs will be discussed among other commonly asked questions regarding bipolar disorder and trauma.

In this session, you will:
  • Identify two misconceptions between bipolar disorder and trauma that cause confusion in differentiation.
  • Recognize three key differences between mood disorders and trauma disorders as a basis for understanding them.
  • Explain key differences between bipolar disorder and trauma.

Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & DMDD

  • 1.5 CE Credits

Distinguishing Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) from Bipolar Disorder in children and adolescents is one of the most clinically challenging diagnostic tasks facing mental health professionals today. With treatments that work for each, which definitively do not work for the other, it is essential to be able to tell the difference between these two disorders and apply the correct treatment.

In this session, you will:
  • Describe the gold standard for diagnostic assessment and appropriate treatment for managing each of these serious conditions.
  • Examine the history of the development of Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) diagnosis.
  • Describe the diagnostic criteria for Bipolar Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) according to the DSM-5-TR.
  • Identify the clinical features that differentiate Bipolar Disorder from DMDD.
  • Give examples of current evidence-based treatment approaches for both BIpolar Disorder and DMDD.

Meet Your Presenters

Angela Jamison

CMHRC Deputy Director, Training and Outreach Director, Foster Care and Adoption Specialist

Elizabeth Errico

CMHRC Executive Director

More about Angela
  • Can Kids Have Bipolar?
  • Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & ADHD
  • Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & Borderline Personality Disorder in Teens
  • Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & Trauma
More about Elizabeth
  • Understanding Misdiagnosis
  • Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar in Children and Adolescents
  • What is “Fear of Harm?”
  • Differentiating Bipolar Disorder & DMDD

Continuing Education Approval Statements

ACE Provider Approval Statement​

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center, provider # 2471, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/11/2026-9/11/2029.

NBCC Provider Approval Statement​

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7986. programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Children’s Mental Health Resource Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

If you have questions, concerns, or grievances about this course, or require ADA accommodation, please contact us via email at learning@cmhrc.org or by phone at 773-231-0751 (9am-5pm Eastern time). Written communication can also be sent to:

111 Hekili St. Suite A-600, Kailua, HI 96734.

Angela Jamison

Deputy Director

Angela is an adoptive mother of five with a passion for supporting and educating children and families. After earning her BA in Elementary Education from Northern Kentucky University, she spent many years at home as a foster mother, healing trauma and building relationships with the many children that entered her home, with their birth families, friends, and community partners.
After fifteen years witnessing the trifecta of trauma, overworked caseworkers and ineffective legislation within the child welfare system, Angela received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Kentucky with a Trauma Responsive Practice Certificate. She continued on to become a Certified Social Worker in the state of Kentucky and a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Ohio.
Angela spent eleven years in education prior to staying home with her children and offers training and support to foster and adoptive families as CMHRC’s Adoption and Foster Care Specialist. She strives to make families feel heard, welcome, and understood on their journey whether that be foster, adoptive, mental health or a combination of these.
Having children with diagnosis from bipolar to autism, ADHD, Tourette’s, OCD, anxiety and more, Angela understands the isolation that comes with standing out in society, but also the peace and power that comes with embracing our children and family’s beautiful differences. She hopes to empower families with the strength and confidence to parent their children for their children, not society or others’ expectations.

Elizabeth Errico

Founder & Executive Director

Read Elizabeth’s Welcome Message here.
Elizabeth founded CMHRC after years as a mental health professional with a varied, decades long, career in the fields of counseling psychology, education, and psychiatry. Throughout those years she saw the desperate need of children and families who struggle to find answers and support from a complex mental healthcare system that often ignores or minimizes their concerns. CMHRC grew out of the awareness that these families and their providers deserve better access to information, resources, and expert guidance as they seek accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Prior to founding CMHRC Elizabeth spent more than 3 years as the Executive Director of the Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation (JBRF) where she designed, implemented, and ran outreach, education, and advocacy programs for families and practitioners. She is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist with extensive experience working with individuals, couples, and families. In addition to the years she spent in private practice, Elizabeth was also a provider in the partial hospitalization program (PHP) at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, and worked as an intensive out-patient (IOP) provider at Somerset Treatment Services substance abuse treatment center. She taught undergraduate psychology at Kean University for nearly a decade, and has worked as a consultant to nonprofit organizations advising on positive team-building and productive internal communication processes.
Elizabeth is a member of the Coalition for Metabolic Health, and a member of its Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth earned a BA in psychology from Georgetown University. She attended Columbia University, Teachers College for graduate school where she earned Master’s Degrees in both psychological counseling (MA) and in counseling and education (Ed.M.). In graduate school she studied under Dr. Robert T. Carter, author of The Influence of Race and Racial Identity Theory in Psychotherapy and Measuring the Effects of Racism. Elizabeth did her graduate internship at The Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center in New York City in their HIV/AIDS bereavement program counseling those who’d recently recently lost a loved one as well as those recently diagnosed with a terminal illness. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Board of Certified Counselors.