What is the difference between adhd and bipolar in adults

Kids with ADHD who engage in treatment tend to get much better over time. Though the disorder can worsen during periods of stress, there are usually no psychotic episodes unless the person has a coexisting condition. People with bipolar disorder also do well with medicines and therapies, but their episodes can become more frequent and severe as the years go on. Speak with your doctor or call immediately if you or someone you love has thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

It can be more than challenging when you or a loved one is experiencing signs and symptoms of either ADHD or bipolar disorder.

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It can feel hard to distinguish between schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder, thanks to several overlapping symptoms. One hallmark byproduct of ADHD is hyperfocus, or the ability to focus intently on something of great personal interest for an extended period of time, at times mentally drowning out the world around.

This may happen on deadline pressure or when wrapped up in a compelling project, book, or video game. A manic episode, on the other hand, is independent of external circumstances. People with bipolar disorder often want to go to sleep or relax, but describe feeling as if there is electricity going through their bodies that they cannot stop or dampen, no matter how desperate they are for sleep. This inability to settle the mind and body can go on for a week.

Going without sleep for long periods of time can trigger psychotic episodes or hallucinations. People with ADHD often interrupt or talk too much without noticing because they miss social cues or because they lose focus on the threads of a conversation.

Patients experiencing a manic bipolar episode are often aware they are changing topics quickly and sometimes randomly, but they feel powerless to stop or understand their quickly moving thoughts. This type of behavior is uncharacteristic and does not reflect how they would typically converse. These distracting and disconcerting racing thoughts are often mistaken for ADHD, though they are quite different in nature. During a manic episode, a patient can engage in risky sexual or illegal behavior.

They may also become incredibly productive for a few days, before exhaustion causes them to physically and mentally crash. The hypomania experienced by people with bipolar II is less intense than other manic episodes, and is easily mistaken for anxiety. During these episodes, patients feel revved up, or like their thinking is different than it normally is, which often resembles regular hyperactivity.

In addition, people with bipolar II experience more depressive episodes than do people with bipolar I disorder. Bipolar II is more common in women, and can be misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder because the mania is less severe. In the course of a day, people with NOS might experience both mania and depressive symptoms.

Clinicians working to differentiate between ADHD and bipolar disorder should conduct a comprehensive, clinical interview that aims to determine whether the following unique signs of bipolar disorder are present:.

Parents of children with ADHD describe their babies as colicky, always crying, difficult sleepers, or always moving around. Children are born with ADHD symptoms; bipolar is a condition that develops and even grows in intensity. A teen with bipolar disorder can rage for hours in a destructive, disturbing way that is described as volcanic emotion or limbic rage.

The limbic system is the most primitive, emotional part of the brain. With tantrums caused by ADHD, a child may be upset, but will stop if distracted by something else or when he becomes exhausted.

The rage goes on much longer in children with bipolar disorder. Children who develop bipolar disorder are often precocious, gifted, and have night terrors characterized by gore and mutilation. They have an extreme fear of annihilation, and talk about death, murder, and suicide in an obsessive, matter-of-fact way. Some children with bipolar disorder will harm animals, or experience hallucinations and psychotic symptoms of paranoia from a young age. Children diagnosed with conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder are at a higher risk of having bipolar disorder.

Patients with both ADHD and bipolar disorder face a greater risk of suicide and other health threats, in part because the symptoms they experience of both conditions tend to be more intense and severe if left untreated.

Patients with both conditions also tend to demonstrate symptoms of bipolar disorder earlier in life. ADHD is treated with behavioral therapy, medication, and in some cases by a combination of both. For 4- and 5-year-olds, the first line of treatment is behavioral therapy with parental involvement. For many, medications can help to reduce symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity and improve the ability to focus, work, and learn.

Stimulants are the most common type of medication used. These work by increasing the chemicals in the brain that play a role in thinking and attention. A few other ADHD medications are non-stimulants. These may be prescribed if someone has side effects from stimulants or may be prescribed in combination with stimulants.

Several specific psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy CBT and family therapy, have been shown to help individuals with ADHD and their families manage symptoms and improve everyday functioning. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness that requires long-term management. Appropriate treatment options vary from person to person depending on the severity of symptoms, but an effective treatment plan usually involves a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

Medications generally used include mood stabilizers and second-generation atypical antipsychotics. Treatment plans may also include medications that target sleep or anxiety. Psychotherapy uses a variety of techniques to better equip someone with bipolar disorder with the skills and coping mechanisms necessary to recognize and better manage their illness. ADHD and bipolar disorder share some symptoms, including hyperactive or restless behaviors, being easily distracted, and having poor concentration, impulsivity, and racing thoughts.

The causes of both are unclear, but there may be genetic risk factors. Each condition is diagnosed by a healthcare professional applying the criteria from the DSM Each can be treated by medications, but they differ as to the specific drugs used. Each can also be treated by talk therapy. ADHD may also be treated with behavioral interventions. We understand that the symptoms of both ADHD and bipolar disorder can be difficult to experience. However, with treatment, both disorders can be effectively managed.

Make sure you speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms highlighted above. Early diagnosis greatly increases the chance of a successful outcome. While they share many symptoms, such as hyperactive or restless behaviors, distractibility, poor concentration, impulsivity, and racing thoughts, they are different disorders that are diagnosed based on different criteria and treated in different ways. One of the main differences is that ADHD causes an ongoing pattern of symptoms, whereas bipolar disorder is an episodic disorder.

ADHD is more common than bipolar disorder, affecting 4. Ways to support your loved one are understanding the condition or conditions they have and being alert to their symptoms. Remember that your loved one cannot control their symptoms. Likewise, you have not caused them. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

They both share several symptoms especially during the manic or hypomanic episodes of bipolar disorders. There are, however, some very key differences between the two disorders that help when diagnosing them. Additionally, ADHD is a far more constant condition with the individual experiencing chronic symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is cyclical, forcing the patient to cycle through manic or hypomanic episodes to depressive episodes. What makes diagnosing between the two so difficult is the fact that a person often suffers from both conditions. One study found that As a parent of a young child or a young adult, it is incredibly important to be aware of the signs of either of these conditions. If you begin to recognize the symptoms of ADHD or bipolar disorder, you should speak with a doctor as soon as possible.

Because of how similar the two conditions are, they can often be misinterpreted and misdiagnosed or mistreated. Receiving the proper diagnosis and treatment can help you better live with your condition.

In some instances, the individual may be diagnosed with two conditions. It is always important to stay on top of your own symptoms and wellbeing to be able to better explain them to a doctor.

While they share many similarities, they are two fundamentally different disorders. Due to their similarities, they can often be hard to differentiate between the two. It is important that you reach out to the trusted DFW counseling center at LifeWorks to seek the best treatment for your condition.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From humble beginnings in , Lifeworks has grown to be one of the largest counseling and life coaching centers in the North Dallas area. Our licensed Psychologists and Professional Counselors offer a broad spectrum of expertise; focusing on specific areas. In addition, we have been able to provide expertise in the areas of psychological, psycho-educational, and neuropsychological testing for all ages.