ADHD/ADD vs Bipolar 1&2 | ADHD Information

Could someone inform me about the differences between these? My shrink isn't convinced about my ADHD, even so I convinced him to gime ritalin. I'm looking forward to start taking them on monday, but I'm scared if they don't work since he says that it could be bipolar 2 (even though he admits that I have "sides" that reminds about ADHD). I've been reading about it and I can't say that I recognice it in me, even though some of the things is typically me (depressions, moodswings). But as I told him, reading your stories, and postings 90% of them could have been written by me!

Another thing that I can't relate on in the bipolar is the "hurting yourself" issue, and I never have overactive periods of 2-4 days as you "should" have in bipolar....

Anyone that can help????Anteros38997.3319907407

HI Anteros ! Many ADDrs have other ''issues'' or Coexisting problems [Ya Thanks alot, like I need more problesm, err, problems ] ALONG with the ADD. For instince [sp] say you have GAD [general anxiety disorder] which covers a wide range of issues, which you can check out on www.about.com

Sometimes the 'other' issues are more promanit [sp !] then the ADD, which we 'learn' to cover up/ignore/function with. So which should be treated first. Hmm, maybe the one that is hindering us the most, just a thought.

I know this has little to do with your Bipolar question, but I have no knowledge/experience about it. [I bet www.about.com does ! ] ;

Well, my biggest problem(s) as I see it is coexisting with the world, sosial issues (family/girlfriends/friends), anger/frustration. And I always seem to postpone things, as I wrote time ago I also tend to flunk school, but pass intensive courses! Not to mention loose/quit jobs! To me this is more a(n) ADHD thing(s) then bipolar???Bipolar and ADD can act similar. I've contemplated my diagnosis a few times myself. (I also have a few friends that are bipolar, and I am ADD.)

Hyperfocus can look a lot like mania, and the lows after such focus can seem a bit like depression. Bipolar can be a slow cycle, or some people rapid cycle and can have full cycles throughout a single day.

A full blown manic episode is very obvious, in my eyes. It is a lot more 'out of control' and irrationally high than hyperfocusing. But hypomania seems to be very similar to hyperfocus, which is the mania that BP2 has. Racing thoughts, periods where others and the world can't keep up with you, over-confidence/grandiose thinking, and impulsive spending/sex can all be signs of a manic episode.

BP tends to have more suicidal thoughts and deeper depressions than typical of ADD. If you have severe depressions, BP2 is a possibility.

My understanding is also that BP is more of a cycle, while ADD can often be influenced more by environment. However, certain things can trigger BP cycles and it is not completely out of environmental control. Just like hyperfocusing causes a mental crash.

(BTW, I am a psych student, and ADD and BP will be my focus with my career.)

ADD stimulant meds may cause a manic episode in BP, but that is not always the case. A few of the better ADD and BP books compare the 2 disorders, so that may be a good source of information. The internet also has info, just google ADD and bipolar.

-C
Thanks, but I think since the ritalin after a few days ahs a good effect it should indicate that its ADHD. But if you have information that says otherwise I will be happy to hear from you again :)IF ADHD MEDS MAKE YOU WORSE THAN IT'S MOSTLY THE COMORBID THAT IS THE BIGGER PROBLEM. WE DO JUST VITAMINS AND THEY HELP GREAT. The meds has gigen me 2 days that I cant recall that I've ever had! But I'm glad vitamins work for you! Coming from the land of Omega 3 I've tried most natural products! No effect whatsoever! So the Ritalin is for me a life savier at this point! I aumented the dose today, and I can feel that 40 is too much, a little shaky, but for the rest fine! :) 20 seemed to little, as it wore out sooner then it should!

Oh my God!!! I posted this at exactly 9:11, hopefully some won't see it! THey may report me to the FBI, CIA, Miami Vice, CSI and superman for the coincidence

In europe 9:11 would be november the 9th, and I'm born that day! What does that MEAN??? ;)Anteros39002.3921875

i am happy for you the retilin is working,i had a bad psychotic reaction on it and i am now on concerta and it suits me better.do you feel the "crash" in the evening?

i find the meds helped my impulsive side but not much my inattentive side.

I'm much more harmonic, concentrated and very much calmer than I used to! But I do have a little crash in the evening! It's on its way now ;)

Anteros, I would think so to, but I'm no polymath so I know you can find out more about this.

GooGle - GooGle - Google !

Best take the advice of your medical professionals unless you don't trust them! Bipolars who take ADHD meds without caution can become psychotic! They both look scarily alike to the non-professional with few exceptions if it's severe bipolar.

Bipolar can take severe swings both in extreme happy and depressed but many phase out one way and not the other. Most ADHDers stay pretty stable emotion wise so when there are mood swings often bipolar or chronic depression is seen. If they are going to watch you on meds for the first while that's great! Just be totally honest - i.e. don't lie if you find things get hairy and you lose control. You'll only be hurting yourself literally. If meds cause severe side effects then they are probably right and you need an adjustment in meds.

Just take it one day at a time friend! We often want to rush to the end and this is something you don't want to rush. Finding what works takes time. Remember that.

That's right they aren't with you 24/7 - that's why you must be BRUTALLY honest with your caregiver above anything!! The main reason people get the wrong treatment is out of withholding pertinent information out of reason of embarassment, taboo, or misguided fear of being targeted for something or other. For example if a person is using cocaine and given our meds a dangerous situation occurs. But many would keep their mouths closed out of fear of police even though a doctor or therapist is duty and morally bound not to mention anything other than murder!

So tell everything embarassing or otherwise - unless your therapist is also your brother or father or next-door neighbor. Then I'd go to the next town for therapy LOL. Seriously - just be as honest as possible. You do not want bipolar undiagnosed just to get ADHD meds - it could be the end of any happy times for you. Really.

Thanks Glen, I'll embrace your advice!

And the meds will be taken with his "supervision", and I will be honest since the only thing I want is to be "normal" and better! As I told him, if it doesn't work in any way, or in the wrong way we will know that it probably isn't ADHD..... But I'm still convinced that it is! He hasn't lived with me, he is seeing me for an hour a week and can see me depressed, but he never sees me over time and lives with my reactions and so on! Anyway, I will be seeing a specialist tuesday and wednesday to take the tests and start the prosess to get a diagnosis....

Well it sounds like you've done your best - and that's all anyone can do. I remember my first meeting with my therapist that I was terrified he'd stamp "INSANE" on my forehead and have me committed!! I was nearly dumbstruck - it was so hard to speak but I forced it out. My image of becoming like my hermit uncles dying alone was my touchstone and kept me going. Very hard though I don't wish it on anyone but know it must happen.

Just continue to put it all out in front of them. If they are any good they'll see any holes you've left and help you along. Therapy isn't a one-time thing even if Dr. Phil thinks that is so. It can take a lifetime to work out all the edges on us and even then we will never be perfect. Just happier and who can ask for more ?!?

Bipolar is so slippery - there are people who still argue over whether it exists because it looks like everything else. Let them help you through it - just don't go get your ADHD nose out of joint and walk away! The temptation will be there I have been there but fight it!

And I hope you find the solace in it that I have. I'm still imperfect by a large factor but happier than I've ever been before. I'd still love to be happier but I take the improvement and wait to see what comes next.

[QUOTE=GlenW]

[/QUOTE]

Well Glen, I totally agree with you. And I've tried to be as honest as I can! But living in my head it's difficult to know what is an issue, and what is not! I've thought for almost 40 years that I had an "italian" temper, but for the rest normal.... So maybe there are many things that could have convinced him in my head? My mother is convinced, I remembered me as a quiet and polite child, and when asking my mother she tells me that in one moment I was a loving quiet child, and in the next an overactive child that didn't seem to care! Does a 4 year old have bipolar? My ex is convinced, she lived with me! Actually they convinced me when I thought they were full of sh*t! I've never been able to bond with friends, and I have a lot of issues that for me is ADHD, and a few that in my eyes could be bipolar!

But the main thing is, and will be for me to get "normal" whatever the conclusion is! I'm tired fighting the world!!!!Anteros38997.7682986111