How early can you detect mental illness in children? Obsessive Compulsive, Bipolar, or Schizophrenia?

My 2-year old has anxiety and is very particular about everything. My 5-year old also is the same way. Neither act this way for attention, in fact when called out on their behavior they have a melt down because they do not thrive for attention, it's the opposite. They don't want the negative attention at all. But there is no compromise with either of them when they have their minds set on something. My husband is OCD & Bipolar. My father is schizophrenic. You don't think about things like this before you have a child with someone... But what's done is done.... I just have to be strong & acknowledge mental illness & move forward... not be ignorant of it. I'm pregnant with our 4th child. Just because they may or may not be OCD doesn't mean that they are bad... in fact, they have alot more drive than my other daughter, who tends to be lazy. They are very organized & clean. That's just who they are. And I love them for who they are... For the same way I love my husband.

I'm a firm believer that 99% of who we are is genetic, not environment. It does play a role, but very minimal. My husband grew up poor and had a single mom. But my son acts exactly the same way he does. Everything about him, down to even his ticks and muscle spasms. I do not want my children medicated. I am a child care professional who believes in behavior modification versus medications. My husband also does not want the kids medicated at ALL...He has not been medicated and believes that he turned out "okay." I beg to differ. I need medication as an option. I wonder how other couples coupe when having to decide how to treat their child's mental illness and they don't see eye to eye.

Mental illness does run in families. You should maybe have them go to a therapist. Usually the earlier these things are dealt with the less likely the problems will increase. They will probably not be put on any medication at this early age-I think they probably wouldn't need medication anyway.

Personality characteristics associated with OCD, etc, dont necessarily mean that your children will become OCD. Genetic predisposition plays a role, but if you help your children acquire good coping strategies, they may never end up having OCD or bipolar. Keep in mind that psychological disorders, like most health ailments, involve genetic predisposition and environmental influences...

It is what it is, there will be no way to tell until they start school, by then a doc can diagnose them, I think my son is bi-polar but now he is 20 and doing pretty well, anymore they are realizing that there are bi-polar children, but you will have to find a doctor that believes this and works with children

you can detcet it with in the first your but no doctor will will give you anything to help till the kid starts school or turns 5.