Hi Debbie

That is a good question.  Does she only act this way around them?  If so, I would think she is not having an episode but just reacting to the way they make her feel. Probably angry and people without bipolar get angry.  On the other hand, if you notice she does this around you, or others as much as she does around them, then she probably is being effected by bipolar.  I know that my husband triggers my bipolar symptoms.  He can be very critical, reprimanding and controlling.  It will overwhelm me and make me go "ballistic".  I do not handle stress very well, either.  If I have somewhere to go and I am running late, anything that someone says can just set me off.  I think bipolar should be called a stress-disorder because many of us have a hard time dealing with it.  It is like our system is always ready to fly off amunition and any thing can set it off. Too much cortisol (stress hormone) in our brains, if you ask me.  Anyway, I would just notice if your child acts this way only around those people you mentioned or you and them.  Also, notice if she is under more stress, had a bad nights sleep, did not eat, things of this sort can throw bipolars way off.  I hope this helped.

raku