Mania, ADHD, and not knowing what is real or what is in my mind?

I had an episode of mania in late June-- the only one I have ever had. It was determined to be a side effect of a medication I was taking for asthma. I was also under EXTREME stress which likely contributed to the mania. It was recent enough ago that it still scares the heck out of me. I was psychotic and extremely paranoid. I was awake for 7 days! It was a terrible experience I never want to repeat. I can't remember half of it, but what I do remember isn't pleasant. If not for my therapist I would have been hospitalized, and I know I scared the hell out of him.

My manic experience scares me for another reason--- I DO NOT have Bipolar Disorder--I have ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Panic Disorder.

I have never exhibited any symptoms of Bipolar Disorder other than the one recent manic phase, but my doctor and therapist think that the cause of the Bipolar was the medication and the extreme duress I was under at the time. My circumstances have changed somewhat since then though, as my sister was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder a few days ago!!!!

What if it the medicine was just a trigger to underlying Bipolar Disorder, and not just a side effect to the asthma medicine I was taking? What if my sister's diagnosis is accurate-- what if this is in our family and I have it too? ! ! ! ! ! The slightly amusing part is that I am confirmed diagnosed with ADHD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder... and the problem is that I can't tell if I'm having over-exaggerated worry and this is a part of the anxiety I experience from the GAD----

Or if...it's more than that, as ADHD is often misdiagnosed as Bipolar and is even commonly comorbid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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While I don't know the answer to your question, I DO know that whatever your diagnosis - whether it is ADHD, GAD, bipolar, or something else - YOU are still YOU - an intelligent, lovable, supportive, interesting, wonderful person.

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Can I keep you? I do not have a box to put you in on my desk, but we'll make do !!!

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I think I will discuss this with my T come my next appointment, but I don't think there is any way for him to know for sure unless I have a manic/hypomanic episode without the presence of the "evil medication" (as we now refer to it as) that triggered mania as a side effect. The medication is one that is known to cause mania and other psychotic mood disturbances as a less common reaction/side effect. I don't mention the medicine by name here because I don't want to flip other people out unnecessarily. It's a really good drug for what it treats, and what happened with me is unlikely to happen in most people who take the drug.

It is likely I am overreacting due to the Generalized Anxiety Disorder; my T has gone over the Bipolar-ADHD overlap with me before, and of course after the manic episode he was very thorough in making sure that it was a medication induced episode versus real Bipolar. The problem is my T is not with me at all times and cannot read my mind (try as he may). I have a hard enough time expressing myself with the interaction between the ADHD and anxiety disorders. I have never suffered from Major Depressive Disorder or Dysthymic Disorder either, so that makes me feel more optimistic--but I also know that not everyone will have Bipolar with a depressive episode (Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II). I've had very odd thoughts before, but I think my unusual thought processes are due to the presence of ADHD.

I'm likely just needlessly worrying, which is a sign that I need more sleep--I have been tired lately from lack of proper sleep hygiene.

I know of a poster who became psychotic from insomnia,,,was diagnosed bipolar but then that dx. was retracted as they determined that she became psychotic from the insomnia not the other way around.
There is such a thing as psychotic depression.
I will see if I can find you some info
bizi