# (118) The Way Childhood Bipolar Gets Mistaken For ADHD, And How Early Diagnosis Changes Everything

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hot-mess-espresso-6478282/118-the-way-childhood-bipolar-gets-mistaken-for-adhd-and-how-early-diagnosis-changes-everything
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hot-mess-espresso-6478282/118-the-way-childhood-bipolar-gets-mistaken-for-adhd-and-how-early-diagnosis-changes-everything.md
Podcast: [Hot Mess Espresso](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hot-mess-espresso-6478282)
Published: 2026-03-18T09:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ce2aab4040e6280b05ac50ec0f17d3cdc1a30d9cebb2ff956efd4cb9ee1f5916/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI2ZGFhZGFjNC0wNTAxLTRiYzYtOTFhYy1kYmY5MjYyY2ZkYmUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiJmODc0NDI4My1jNDJkLTQ4ZWEtYTZjMS1hMGY5OWY4NWRmMzMiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2NDk0YWQ4M2VhMGFjYTZmOTk4YzY3MzYiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlhNzhjOTA3YjM0NTg4MmQwZWI5MzJkL2hlYXRoZXItaGVyaW5ndG9ucy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTRfXzItMzYtMTYubXAzIn0=.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3486

## Resource

Most people think bipolar diagnosis is something that magically appears in your late teens or early twenties. Bri McKay? She got it at just seven years old after a hospital stay at age five and a lot of research. She’s not just a storyteller; she’s breaking down childhood mental health mysteries that most adults don’t even get until they’re well into therapy. Bri’s candidly sharing her journey, from unmarked childhood signs to navigating the industry as a bipolar artist, actress, and musician. Brie also reveals her raw, unfiltered thoughts on therapy, medication, self-awareness, and the importance of a solid support circle. Plus, hear her stories about what it’s truly like to be a billboard for mental health in Hollywood, and how her emotions fuel her creative genius, when she’s not fighting to stay afloat. This episode is your secret weapon if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to grow up with early bipolar and how to channel that pain into art, or if you’re just curious about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the entertainment biz.

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## Transcript

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