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Bipolar vs ADHDWarning - the difference between bipolar vs ADHD can be surprisingly difficult to diagnose. And as is so often the problem, the wrong diagnosis may do more harm than good. And yes, just to further complicate things, there are many people who really do have both.
It is vital to the understand the difference because some ADHD medications are very stimulating and can trigger mania and make bipolar people worse.
Bipolar and ADHD similaritiesThis is difficult to generalize about and requires clinical evaluation because just as there are various forms of bipolar disorder and mania, there are also various forms of ADHD.The differences and similarities between bipolar vs ADHD are complex and confusing.
1. Restless: This is the notorious "hyperactivity" of ADHD. Lots of motor activity - a seeming inability to "sit still". 2. Talkative: Not only is there a constant stream of talk, but it may have little to do with what others present are talking about or are interested in, and may often be inappropriate, hurtful or poorly constructed "streams of consciousness". 3. Impulsive: Reckless behavior and poor judgment are common to both disorders. This impulsivity may manifest in excessive spending, substance abuse, hyper-sexuality or dangerous driving - to name but a few. 4. Irritibility: We often think of ADHD being characterized by a low tolerance for frustration and impatience. However, often the stereotype of the manic person is "the life and soul of the party" - up all night, dancing, talking and socializing. However, mania oten takes the form of irritibility, anger or even rage and this can look a lot like ADHD. How can I recognize bipolar vs ADHD?It is always a good idea to consult an expert, but here are some useful rules of thumb.A person is more likely to have ADHD than be bipolar if: 1. No matter how chronic or chaotic their behavior is, it is a constant pattern. Bipolar people CYCLE - it is the episodic nature of the disorder that distinguishes it. 2. ADHD people may have trouble getting to sleep, but do eventually go to bed at night. Bipolar people in a manic episode may skip sleep completely, sleep very little or sleep at odd hours. 3. ADHD people tend not to experience the "highs" of bipolar people such as extremely happy moods that are often described as "expansive" or "euphoric". 4. They are consistently putting themselves down and tend to have low self esteem or a sense of impending failure or doom. Bipolar people may feel this when depressed but, unlike ADHD people, they also experience feelings of grandiosity - a belief they can accomplish anything and everything. With ADHD it is possible to have peroids of "hyperfocus" and be ultra-productive, but this is different to the manic certainty of the bipolar person believing they can acheive whatever pops into their head.
Bipolar vs ADHD - Why does it matter?Most ADHD medications are stimulants. These can trigger mania in bipolar people, making them worse.This is a major reason for always carefully investigating the issue and becoming informed about bipolar vs ADHD. Good news on bipolar and ADHDRegardless of the label, there are non-drug based interventions that work equally well for both bipolar and ADHD.Natural supplements such as omega 3 fatty acids, folic acid and inositol all nourish the brain and will benefit both disorders with no dangerous side effects. Another effective and natural remedy that may be effective for both is a homepathic, non-drug, natural form of lithium salts such as lithium orotate. Creativity in bipolar and ADHDInterestingly, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were both "Ritalin kids". In an interview before he died, Kurt, who was bipolar, claimed that being given Ritalin as a young child probably encouraged his drug use in later years. Or, as Courtney Love put it: " When you're a kid and you get this drug that makes you feel that feeling, where else are you going to turn when you're and adult? It was euphoric when you were a child - isn't that memory going to stck with you?" There is a high coincidence of creativity and giftedness amongst both bipolar and ADHD people. Regardless of whether an individual is bipolar or ADHD, or both, that person will often show high creative aptitude. These gifts may help them to become happy and successful in life. However, if these same gifts are frustrated, stifled or inappropriately medicated, then the person may experience much unhappiness and even some serious mental and physical health risks. My own life improved dramtically when I began to understand that there is a blessing as well as a curse in being a person who "thinks outside the box". Today, leading bipolar psychiatric experts such as Ronald Fieve MD are suggesting that some forms of bipolar are beneficial.
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