Bipolar II Comorbid with ADHD - What's life like for you?

There is a "life with Bipolar" thread still high on the topic list, but this is a bit different, I think. More specific.

I was diagnosed Bipolar a long time ago but I'm known for exhibiting ADHD behaviors. Often people that spend time with me ask me if I have it. I don't know if they just catch me in hypomanic times (I am a recluse - so I don't spend much time with people outside my household) and assume that it is a form of what they perceive is ADHD, or not.

Because of this I have taken many self-test via Doctor Google and every single test has resulted in off-the-chart results: "YES! You most likely have ADHD. Go see somebody about it."

I know that I have a problem with anxiety, but that is often a part of BP. But isn't ADHD a separate, thus comorbid, independently treated condition?

• If you have ADHD in addition to BP what is your life like on a daily basis?
• Can you tell the difference between the two?
• How?
• Are you rapid cycling (It seems I am ultra-rapid at times)?

Just share, please. I want to hear your stories as I try to figure out what is going on in my own experience.

I have "severe" ADHD. (I don't think it's severe -- probably more along the lines of "moderate" -- but I guess I've been told by a few docs that it's severe..)

To answer your questions:
I had a hard time functioning on a daily basis when BP and ADHD weren't treated. It was especially bad when I had severe depression because I couldn't concentrate on anything. It was horrible

And yes, I can tell the difference between the two. However, I never actually knew I was BP until a couple of psychologists and my pdoc told me... so there was no way for me to tell the difference between BP and ADHD at the time. I genuinely thought I had periods of time when my ADHD "flared up".. but obviously that turned out to be hypo/mania.

But in general: my concentration always sucks no matter what mood I'm in. There is never a time where my concentration is "good". It's just bad 100% of the time. That's an easy way to tell.

Also, ADHD is an attentional disorder. Lack of concentration stems from a lack of attention. You lose focus because your attention drifts... and this "attentional drift" does not occur simply because you're "bored". It's a neurochemical thing.

Another thing to note: when you have an attention deficit, you have poor working memory. If your working memory is fine, then you probably (note: probably) don't have an attention deficit. That's another way to tell if you have ADHD.

There is definitely impulsivity involved if you have ADHD combined type or ADHD hyperactive-impulsive type, but it is not the same as BP impulsivity... BP impulsivity is like, "LOL I'm awesome because in manic!!! I'm gonna spend $5000 on chocolate that I can't eat!!! What a great idea!! I wish I thought of that earlier!!!" ADHD impulsivity is more along the lines of "impatience".