First I'd like to say that I have a daughter whom is 23 that has been diagnosed bi-polar. Because she was 18 when she first saw her psychiatrist I was not allowed into or have any knowledge of what was going on What I can tell you is that it took a few years before he would actually diagnose her.  I noticed changes in her behavior when she was around 16 and attributed to PMS when things got worse I knew there was more of a problem then that. It actually just came to me one night when I was watching a tv program about addictions. The next morning I woke her up and asked if she would take a test online about bi-polar disorder and yep that was her. I immediately contacted a friend who got us to this incredible doctor. It took a year or so until her meds were regulated and she lives a very productive life. Ok you have to remember most importantly that a good psychiatric doctor is your ultimate tool in helping your child young or old , they need to have someone they can trust in. My daughter loves her doctor. Medication plays a big roll in a bi-polar  persons life and they need to take it always. By the way I was the whipping post for my daughter and I will never forget her eyes and how e mpty they were while she was saying horrible things to me.  It is hard not to take it personally and only human we lash out right back.  Especially for a 11 yr old child this must be extremely difficult . Money can be an issue if your insurance covers some of the cost thats a good thing but what about the doctors I question the ones that are not making  a whole lot of money.  Sorry but sometimes you get what you pay for.  My daughter pays out right to see her doctor $135 1/2hr this is basically to get her meds filled but it is worth every penny to my daughter. We are very close and I have never backed down in the sense that I never let her use her condition as a excuse to be the best that she can be.  I don't think you can help her if she does not have a doctor that will not put a band aide on her problem.