Add ??

Does anyone here have Bipolar and ADD? Just curious cause I'm Bipolar and I think I have ADD and was wondering if they can add something for the ADD. It is so hard for me to concentrate!! It's frustrating and when I'm in a manic episode it only makes it worse. Any insights would be great!!
Thanks

Hi CrazyTinkerbell Welcome.
ADHD and Bipolar are not uncommon to have comorbidly, but they are also often mistaken for each other.

I had a friend who for a long time was misdiagnosed as Bipolar, but he really had ADHD. When he suspected that he wasn't really Bipolar, but ADHD after he had a bad experience with the drugs they prescribed him for Bipolar (including Lithium), he went to another psychologist and he conducted an extensive psychological assessment. It included an I. Q. test (forget the name, Weschler maybe; he did all the subtests), and other extensive neuropsychological tests in addition to the traditional mental status assessment. It took days. I went through something similar when I was checked for ADHD and other disorders.

Do you see a therapist too? I suggest that you try a psychologist on a regular basis anyway, and they are preferable to psychiatrists when it comes to neuropsychological testing and assessments of ADHD in adults (and I would argue superior to a psychiatrist in all cases, but meh...lol). If they diagnose ADHD and think you would benefit from a trial of meds. for ADHD, they can recommend a GP or psychiatrist and give them a report and/or your records (by you signing a consent to release info.) with the other doctor. The team approach to treating mental health disorders seems to me to work the best way.

The stimulants like Ritalin, Adderall, Vyvanse, Daytrana, Dexedrine, etc. sometimes cannot prescribe to patients who also have Bipolar, but it depends (stimulants can agitate Bipolar symptoms, especially Manic phases). The only other type of drug approved strictly for ADHD is Strattera, which is a stimulant-like drug that can be tried too. Some people with ADHD have had success with Wellbutrin (buproprion-generic), which is an anti-depressant that can be prescribed off-label for ADHD if you can't take the regular stimulants. I know some people here take Wellbutrin for ADHD and have done well.

How long ago were you diagnosed with Bipolar (and what type of Bipolar)?
Who diagnosed you with Bipolar (Primary Care/General Practitioner, Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Other)? I'm not Bipolar, but I have had a manic episode that was drug induced one time--side effect of a medication I took for a medical condition. I can tell you personally--- THAT SUCKS!~

So, what's your plan for getting checked out again?

Thank you for your reply Simcha. I'm sorry if I don't anwer all your questions. I can't remember what they all are lol. I was diagnosed with BP May of 2007 by a pyshciatrist after trying to end my life and battling severe depression. I've done well on the meds they prescribed me. The only thing my meds haven't really helped is my inability to concentrate and focus on things I need to. Everything else is fine!! I go back to my Dr in a couple weeks and will talk to him about it then. I do also have a therapist I saw regularly. I'll just have to wait to see what the Dr says.
Thank you again.

Yeah ADHD can sometimes look like bipolar. It's not uncommon for us to become frustrated and depressed due to our condition, especially if it's undiagnosed. We're constantly rejected and told that we're stupid. Who wouldn't be depressed after years of that crap? So if you combine the depression along with ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity, that can definitely resemble bipolar disorder.

CrazyTinkerbell,

You are searching for answers--- and I would think that if your psychiatrist knew what he was doing, he would have already considered a possible diagnosis of ADHD--- but, as I already stated (pardon my repetition), psychiatrists are often not good diagnosticians when it comes to adult ADHD (not many psychologists are trained in adult ADHD either).

Your therapist can also make diagnosis; you don't need to verify anything with your psychiatrist. In fact, your therapist should already have a diagnosis that he made of you (independent from your psychiatrist's).
Both depressive and anxiety disorders can also cause an inability to focus and concentrate, as those symptoms are not unique to ADHD. Have you ever discussed these specific remaining symptoms with your therapist or psychiatrist, and if so, what are their responses?

I don't expect anyone to make a diagnosis but I need some help so I can help a young relative. I think she may have ADD or ADHD or some sort of chemical imbalance, or maybe just depression.

She's 22 and has a 22 month old son. She grew up in another city and has only been in my town about a year. Her Dad says she's kind of forgetful sometimes. That's an understatement. She almost always forgets something when she leaves my house and no reason to get someplace in a hurry. One day she left her purse. Same day she forgot something else and had to come back again. Apparently she's been this "forgetful" for several years.

My primary concern is for the safety of her little son. If she's on the internet or watching TV she's oblivious to what he's doing. Two nights ago she was playing solitair on my PC. He picked up my lighter that was sitting inches away from the keyboard. When I came over to light a cigarette it was gone and she said she hadn't seen it and knew nothing about it. The next night he got into and dumped my sewing basket (needles, pins and buttons) which was less than two feet away, while she was watching TV. There was another sewing basket on top of it and it was gone and she didn't know a thing about it. She'd vacuumed my carpet - couldn't have missed it and acted like I don't know what I'm talking about. I found the lighter in front of my refrigerator. Missing basket was crammed between end table and couch, right by her.

Several months ago we were working to clear out her Grandmother's house because it was going to be sold. We were together and there were things that she threw away and blamed me because she said she asked me and I told her to. If she asked the question, I didn't hear it and these were things that were important. All the while, she seemed to be in a big hurry and couldn't wait to get it over with. Once she gets something on her mind she has to hurry up and do it or she might never do it.

She just got a new job (it's her first week) and has started having a drink (alcoholic) before she goes to bed so she can unwind, and she says the job is boring. I think this could lead to a drinking problem if she's not careful.

She's not on drugs, and drinks alcohol occasionally until recently. She's helpful, reliable, not necessarily irresponsible exept for watching her son. She got good grades in school and went to college one semester. She won't miss a Sunday in church.

She has a brother in town that's sick and tired of her. She's staying with my son until she can get on her feet and twice he's pulled the plug on his PC because her son is tearing up the house and she doesn't know it and they're in the same room. I don't think she does it deliberately. I think she concentrates so hard that she hears nothing, sees nothing and knows nothing else but what she's doing at the time.

I know she dearly loves her little son. Given all her good qualities I can't believe she's just irresponsible when it comes to him. I think she needs some help and unfortunately I'm the only one in the mood to try to figure it out.

Anybody have some ideas? She doesn't have insurance.