Bipolar or ADHD | ADHD Information

ADHD and Bi-Polar are often mistaken.  The symptoms are so similar that sometimes it is hard for them to tell which one they have.  Unfortunately even a 5 year old can have Bi-Polar.  What made them change his diagnosis?

Well, he started stealing at school, and subseqently, the school board psychologist started looking at ALL the complaints about my DS that we had when we first met with her. Upon looking at all our complaints, which varied from misbehavior, bed wetting / daytime wetting, constipation, hurting our dog for no apparent reason, not sleeping (AT ALL) , among others.. she decided that if we put everything together instead of trying to explain everything individualy like my regular doctors do, then it was Bipolar disorder. I'm confused as to why no one looked into this before if it was possible.

Also, every male in my family is/was an alcoholic, my mother has been treated on and off for depression ( due to circumstance) and my 24 year old sister is Bipolar. Mandia39596.7662268519The day my DS was diagnosed with ADHD was a good one.. we had a name for our son's problem... except, less than 1 year after his diagnosis, a team of psychs think he has Bipolar instead... he's only 5.. could he possibly have Bipolar? Anyone else have any experience with this?

Bipolar in children is not all that common and is very hard to diagnose so you probabaly want to get a second opinion.  He's a little on the young side, but a comprehensive neuropsych evaluation is the best bet when it comes to getting an accurate dx and identifying any co-morbids.

All of the behaviors you described are things common to adhd.  I'm assuming that when he's hurt the dog it's not malicious- my son (10- adhd) occasionally hurts our cat, but it's always impulsive and he never can explain why.  At five, stealing is considered "developmentally appropriate" behavior.  It's definetely not acceptable, but it is something that children this age will do, even the "normal" ones.  

Is he on medication?  What you often see with bipolar children who have been misdiagnosed with adhd is that when they are put on a stimulant they get much worse.         

Actually, there are vast distinctions between adhd and bipolar disorder. The distinct behaviors surfaces when children they are older. Thats why most children are not diagnosable so young and/or are not diagnosable until age 5 or 6. To date there are no definitive studies done in terms of how common pediatric bipolar disorder is.  The following symptoms are present in pediatric bipolar disorder but not in adhd.

an expansive or irritable mood extreme sadness or lack of interest in play rapidly changing moods lasting a few hours to a few days explosive, lengthy, and often destructive rages delusions and hallucinations grandiose belief in own abilities that defy the laws of logic (ability to fly, for example)Unfortunately, ADHD kids are at higher risk for having a bipolar disorder as well. So you shouldn't rule out the possibility that your DS might have both...

Another way ADHD and bipolar are different (something to look for): ADHD mood shifts are often triggered by life events (teasing classmates, loud environments, etc.), whereas bipolar behavior may come and go without any warning or apparent reason, and may be sustained over longer periods of time.

You may want to seek out a child psychiatrist with specific experience in 'comorbid' conditions related to ADHD... I wouldn't rule out anything: auditory processing disorder, OCD, anything, until all the symptoms are pieced out and examined.

good luck!
Luvmykids0239597.506875IMO- YOU NEED TO SEE A NEUROPSYCH TO RULE OUT THE BIPLOAR ASAP. HIS MEDS MIGHT BE MAKING IT WORSE.jaderock54 - you're right about when he hurts our dog. He doesn't do it frequently, and when he does, I don't feel that he ever does it to purposefully hurt him.. and he never knows why he did it.

I had thought that lots of the things the psycologist mentioned had been deemed to be part of ADHD, but she was so convincing. My husband and I are to think about it, and if we would like to proceede investigating Bipolar, then she is going to have us admitted to a children's hospital for further testing.. whatever the testing might be.

I'm a little nnervous about diagnosis that aren't based on reliable evidence.. and I've read that a diagnosis for Bipolar is only based on the symptoms and family history. I would hate for him to fit the bipolar description and be put on something that might hurt him.

He is on medication for the ADHD, and the dosage has been changed frequently in the past 8 months. 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, and now, my doctor wants me to experament with the pills that we have left over from each of those prescriptions to see if there's a dosage that we can find that will better fit him.[QUOTE=cgwife]

Luvmykids02 you gave good information.  My son was recently diagnosed with BP.  Diagnosed ADHD 1 1/2 yrs ago.  It is different than ADHD in that he rages.  That was the distinction for us.  Not sure if all children with BP rage.  When he is in a raging cycle, it is intentional and he comes after me and our dog.  Then it passes and he is ok.   Simulant meds can make mania worse.  He is also ADHD and I can see both in him.   You will find alot of information there.  I agree about the second opinion.  Good luck! 

Hi navywife30!  I am a Coast Guard wife :) 

cgwife....your right on target as raging is a major distinction. Thanks for sharing your personal experience

 

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Luvmykids02 you gave good information.  My son was recently diagnosed with BP.  Diagnosed ADHD 1 1/2 yrs ago.  It is different than ADHD in that he rages.  That was the distinction for us.  Not sure if all children with BP rage.  When he is in a raging cycle, it is intentional and he comes after me and our dog.  Then it passes and he is ok.   Simulant meds can make mania worse.  He is also ADHD and I can see both in him.  You will find alot of information there.  I agree about the second opinion.  Good luck! 

Hi navywife30!  I am a Coast Guard wife :) 

 

 

Luvmykids0239597.5055092593