[klownface]

Hi, so this is my first post on this forum. I thought writing would help with dealing with stress. I'm diagnosed with bipolar 1, but not with ADD. When my p.doc prescribed Seroquel my mania went away(from 50-200mg). But, I'm consistently inattentive as I've always been. Everything still has to be quickly done or I get bored, reading must be done quickly even if it sacrifices comprehension, during class times I randomly get up and leave the room because of a passing thought, and I am a professional procrastinator, putting off everything from washing dishes to college admissions. Is this all typical bipolar secondary symptoms or is comorbid ADD or is another disorder? If it is all bipolar then should I up my medication or ask for another one? Whatever It is I need to identify it, I feel like a failure because I can't focus. Since both disorders have a high comorbidity rate I figured that there must be thousands on this site that can speak up.

[LacunaCoiler]

My pdoc said that ADHD and Bipolar symptoms overlap and you really can't start looking ADHD until you have the bipolar under control. Once we got my bipolar under control we looked at the possibility of ADHD and when he was pretty sure that I had it we started meds for that too. However, we have to keep a close eye on it because stimulants can cause manic episodes.

Best thing to do is to talk and work with your doctor to the right diagnosis.

Best of luck!

[all74]

The big thing with ADD is that it is a developmental disorder. That is, it's not something that "just happens" when you're 20 or so. Do you remember having a hard time focusing in elementary school? If you're in high school now did you have these difficulties last year? Two years ago? Have you always been described as a "day-dreamer?"

Sometimes gifted kids fly under the radar in elementary school, meaning that teachers miss it, but usually kids start noticing it themselves in these cases.

IMHO what you're describing sounds like it could be ADD. Actually, the proper diagnosis is "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - Predominantly Inattentive Subtype," or ADHD-PI, even if you have zero impulse control issues.

I guess my end advice would be to get further assessed - preferably by a child and adolescent psychologist who has experience with ADHD-PI (if they have no idea what that is walk away from them).

[Sunflower123]

Hello. Welcome to PC.

[CloserToTheMid]

Welcome! I have BP and ADD as well. I could always be described as a daydreamer...no one had heard of ADD when I was growing up. It's tricky, though, because of the stimulants. I'm untreated and it's challenging. I struggle at work because of it, but I'd rather have it than mania.

I'll be following this thread hoping that someone has found a good way of be treated for both.

[still_crazy]

hi. stimulants can help anyone focus, with or without a diagnosis of ADD. They can also help with depression for some people.

If a stimulant is an option, I'd personally recommend trying Ritalin first, before an amphetamine. I found Ritalin was OK with tranquilizers, but then the amphetamine I was prescribed+a tranquilizer was...odd. Not a good feeling, let's put it that way.

Some doctors use wellbutrin, effexor, pamelor, straterra, or provigil before they try the more traditional stimulants. It depends on your problems, your history, your doctor, all kinds of variables.

hope this helps.

[FearlesslyTheIdiot]

I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2016 but have been struggling with it my entire life. Seen as 'gifted' in my school years so it was never a concern to my parents and it was never looked at as a disorder, to be distracted and not challenged enough in the classroom. After I left home and ended up dropping out of college 3 different times, I started to question whether or not I had issues with focusing/concentrating/distractability. I started a career in financial fraud/anti money laundering around 2012, and it took me 4 years of back-office jobs to finally seek help. Got prescribed Adderall XR, take it once a day, and have not had an issue since. Generic office chatter and noises no longer irritate me to the point of getting up from my desk and going outside to decompress, and I can complete my tasks handily.

I just got diagnosed with BP2 this past Monday, but after some self analyzation, realize I have been suffering with it since at least 2005, always being seen as general depression/anxiety instead of something more specific.

Even after starting Adderall, I've never experienced it triggering any sort of manic episodes, but everyone is different. My "manic" shows itself as impulsive, irresponsible purchases/spending and drinking alcohol excessively, which I have experienced before and after adderall, not necessarily just initiated by the stimulant.

[dsmith]

Klownface: I can relate to what you are describing here, as I suffer from both BP and ADHD. My problem is that initiating tasks is very difficult, but following up on them is even more challenging. This is why I’ve had such problems in my career. I was adept at committing to things in meetings, but then would consistently drop the ball when taking the next step. Or I would say that “I need to learn more about it," and fritter away hours ostensibly researching background information. Also, it was nearly impossible to retain information when talking to people face to face; it’s like listening to the teacher in Peanuts (“wah wah wah wah”).

My career has been completely derailed by this one-two punch of BP and ADHD; I went through 6 jobs in 7 years, and am now taking a “sabbatical” to address my cognitive challenges and figure out what career will be manageable. It's been a miserable experience, but slightly better than sitting at my desk and frittering away time surfing the Web and trying to figure out how to accomplish even the most basic tasks. Think "Office Space."

LacunaCoiler: Spot on re: tackling bipolar before ADHD. Executive functioning has always been a challenge for me; I wanted to try to tackle this because of the dire effects it had on my career. However, my therapist advised me to focus on the BP / breaking out of this deep depression first. I get periodic uplifts (not the highs that I used to get during manic episodes), i.e., after exercising / going out with friends / exploring my strong interest in foreign languages. However, I need this to be a sustained state. Once these storm clouds dissipate, I hope to tackle the ADHD.

Congratulations on getting the BP under control! I can speak from personal experience about ADHD medications triggering manic episodes. I took Vyvanse and Adderall, and went into a very destructive mania during which I alienated all my friends and family, and performed poorly at work due to anxiety and lack of sleep. Are you also going to be on a mood stabilizer? I’m currently taking Lamictal, which is supposed to “dampen” the potential for mania. It may be working too well: it's good that I'm not slipping into mania, but I feel extremely downtrodden like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh.

Good luck, friends!

[mossanimal]

I was first diagnosed ADHD and given Adderall which had no positive effects for 10 years. I was then diagnosed bipolar with the assumption that the ADHD was wrong. I now suspect that I have both. I was put on Wellbutrin which has definitely increased my focus. But I'm also left feeling empty. I don't have the passion for anything TO be distracted by. I'd rather do nothing.

The experiences that some people have shared in this thread hit home for me. I was a considered an 'Absentminded Professor' as a kid and have never been able to hold onto a career/ job or obsessive interest. I've never been described as hyperactive and have never had an issue with sitting still, reading, etc. It's just that I get lost in thought.. usually regarding some new passion that I have. I don't know... very frustrated right now and I'm hoping the depression will end with Latuda.

Anyway.. I guess the point is that it seems like Wellbutrin is a good way to go to at least increase focus if you are bipolar.

[giddykitty]

Following as I might be in the same boat. Was first diagnosed with ADHD, maybe without the hyperactive part, but when put on antidepressant, the manic episode that I had felt times before, only worse, had emerged. I am now on a mood stabilizer and stopped the ADHD med. It's still probably too soon to say anything for certain, but I still daydream/get carried away in my pastimes and bored with m work. It's been slightly better with my mood elevated, but I am supposed to be going off that eventually and I worry about mood going down and productivity going down as well.
Well, anyway, best wishes for us all!

[LadyShadow]

I often wonder about this too. I completely lack focus, reading a book, has become the greatest mountain to overcome, because I always have to "keep it movin' and my attention is always take elsewhere.

I am on Seroquel too, and I still suffer from the same ailments. It's funny, I was more focused when I was younger. Usually people are more unfocused and wild when they are young. I am the exact opposite.

It carries over in to everything, multiple browser windows open on the internet, and forget about watching something on TV, I am LITERALLY watching about 5-6 different things at the same time, flipping around like a manic mess.

What causes this? I am yet to find out.

Good thread!

[dsmith]

Continuing on this thread from about two months ago.

I’m in better shape overall. I felt my career was going nowhere earlier this year. I’d just come off an intense 18 month manic episode, followed by a year of “going sideways,” i.e. stuck in a job that I hated and was far below my credentials and seniority.

Then I got reconnected with a long dormant passion of mine – foreign languages. I started taking a course at a local community college, absorbing Spanish wherever and whenever (i.e., listening to the radio, reading Spanish newspapers), and going to meetups with native speakers.

I then happened to go to a networking event that showcased entrepreneurs in the Latino space. I connected with one of them, and am now helping them out on a part time basis.

So this is all good. My fear? Intense Bipolar and ADHD. Because of the Bipolar, I find it hard to maintain levels of energy throughout the day. Usually mornings I am fairly engaged, but after lunch my energy dips precipitously. As a result, I get distracted by surfing the Web, cleaning the house, blog posting (i.e., on PsychCentral - :-) ).

I need to nip the ADHD in the bud. It’s killed my career many times in the past (my job history is super choppy), and will take me down once again if I’m not careful.

Any ideas out there for how to overcome Bipolar / ADHD?

Have a great day.

[Shazerac]

Have you revisited the ADHD issue with your doctor.? Maybe adding a stimulant might help you with that and the afternoon slump.

[dsmith]

Originally Posted by Shazerac

Have you revisited the ADHD issue with your doctor.? Maybe adding a stimulant might help you with that and the afternoon slump.

Thanks for the tip; this is a fairly recent development and is actually an improvement. Re: medication, I added 150mg of Wellbutrin a few months ago. I didn’t see an uplift until early April (3 weeks ago).

Before I ambled about sluggishly, like Eeyore or Droopy Dog. I struggled to get through the day, and just went through aimlessly doing whatever people asked of me (i.e., picking up dry cleaning, cooking, cleaning the house). I feel great to have some spurts of energy here and there, as opposed to listlessness 24/7.

There’s also been a change in routine; I now get up earlier (6:45am vs 8:00am or so), try running in the morning, and have something concrete occupying my time for hours in a row. I also find myself drinking more coffee now (2-3 cups vs my previous 1), because I feel the need to be more productive. Before, I really didn’t care either way since nothing really required concentration / focus.

It’s frustrating to be so far behind in the rat race from people I went to business school or (worse) was once much more senior to. However, as my wife reminds me - that time was utter hell, because I was consumed by it, and blind to the fact that I was alternating between erratic mania and crippling depression.

I’m hoping these are just “growing pains,” and that I’ll eventually feel well enough to get through the day.

[Shazerac]

Thanks for the update. It seems you are headed in the right direction. Wellbutrin has helped me a lot with focus and motivation. I’m glad your wife is supporting you and helping you stay grounded.

My feelings on the rat race? Withdraw your entry fee and don’t run that race. All it is ..is a bunch of lemmings headed towards a cliff. You are exactly where you are supposed to be at the moment. Comparing yourself to others or beating yourself up with I “should have done this, or I should have done that” is a self defeating behavior. Be your own best friend.

[dsmith]

Originally Posted by Shazerac

Thanks for the update. It seems you are headed in the right direction. Wellbutrin has helped me a lot with focus and motivation. I’m glad your wife is supporting you and helping you stay grounded.

My feelings on the rat race? Withdraw your entry fee and don’t run that race. All it is ..is a bunch of lemmings headed towards a cliff. You are exactly where you are supposed to be at the moment. Comparing yourself to others or beating yourself up with I “should have done this, or I should have done that” is a self defeating behavior. Be your own best friend.

Sage advice - it's been tough for me to practice. Mainly it's because of the thought process that was instilled me from an early age: placing self-worth on one's competitive position vis-a-vis others. My parents had good intentions, but there was unfortunately no emotional support to accompany this high pressure.

My wife has been amazing ever since my diagnosis in Sept 2016. Instead of frustration with my stalled career, she tells me how happy she is about the immense strides I've made since hitting rock bottom 18 months ago. I'm fortunate to have her in my life. Don't know where I'd be without this support.

Thanks so much for your encouraging words; have a great day!