"When you have a mental health disorder of any kind, you will experience several symptoms that make it difficult to function and that can cause distress. Commonly, those symptoms will lead you to seeking the help of a mental health practitioner or therapist, who will evaluate your symptoms and work with you toward finding the correct diagnosis. And of course, the treatment plan and road to a healthier life will follow. But just like everything else in life, diagnoses are complex and some mental health conditions are especially difficult to address. In addition to those challenges, there are many illnesses that have common symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis and mistreatment. However, a common circumstance is for two illnesses or conditions to be occurring at once, or co-occurring.
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and Bipolar Disorder are two conditions that can very commonly co-occur. In this article we"ll be talking in depth about both ADHD and Bipolar Disorder, and just how often they co-occur. If you are experiencing symptoms of either of these disorders or are in the process of seeking a diagnosis, keep reading for more useful information.ttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD, is an extremely common disorder that impacts a great percentage of our population. In fact, 3 to 6 percent of adults are diagnosed with ADHD. And of course, there are an abundance of people who have yet to be diagnosed. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychological condition that creates challenges in a person"s ability to focus, accomplish tasks, manage time and control impulsivity. ADHD makes an immense impact on a person"s ability to function in our society, thrive in their career or even carry out relationships both romantic and not. Because of the nature of this condition, things like going to school at any age and successfully maintaining a job of any kind are especially difficult and often unsuccessful without the help of treatment. person with an ADHD diagnosis will experience some, if not all, of the classic symptoms listed above. If you are experiencing any of these and worry that you may be suffering with ADHD, it is important to seek the help of a mental health professional who can help to evaluate, diagnose and treat you appropriately. The best way to get a diagnosis of ADHD or to seek that option, is to begin by visiting a psychiatric specialist or even your primary care practitioner who can then point you in the direction of the right specialist for you. The process of being diagnosed can be a series of appointments or even a full psychiatric evaluation, which is just a more intensive series of tests and assessments to find a clear and direct diagnosis. Once you"ve been diagnosed, the process of treatment can begin. Because ADHD looks different for each person, the treatment plans are also unique to the individual. As with other mental health conditions or psychological disorders, it is never a universal experience and therefore the treatment will never be a "one size fits all" approach. There are several symptoms of ADHD and Bipolar Disorder that overlap. While they aren"t all the same, some of the most classic symptoms of each disorder are similar or the same which not only makes it hard to diagnose but can also lead to an overlook of comorbidities. While ADHD and Bipolar Disorder can occur at the same time in a person, they also can simply look like the same illness and be completely different diagnoses. These symptoms occur with both conditions very often, so it can be extremely difficult to distinguish between the two. Often there can be a misdiagnosis, which leads to a mistreatment of a condition and that can be dangerous. Some medications to treat ADHD (stimulants) can lead to worsening symptoms of Bipolar Disorders. Eventually after the symptoms increase or change, a doctor will be able to recognize more clearly the actual diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder or ADHD but again, these diagnoses and differentiations take time. Because of the way ADHD medication (stimulants) can impact someone who also has bipolar, it is recommended by most clinicians to begin by treating and managing the Bipolar Disorder before then treating the symptoms of ADHD. To treat both illnesses at the same time, psychiatric specialists will often treat both conditions with medication management usually a mood stabilizer and/or antipsychotic, as well as a stimulant to manage the ADHD. It is always recommended to work through and manage these conditions through other modalities such as talk therapy and lifestyle management.
Because of the nature of these illnesses, another comorbidity of both ADHD and Bipolar disorder is substance abuse issues. Often people turn to substances to manage or numb their symptoms and overwhelming life because of their conditions. While this actually has the very opposite effect, it can complicate treatment and add another layer or illness management such as inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, substance abuse groups or programs and even use of other medications to manage symptoms of withdrawal and addiction.
It is so crucial if you are experiencing any or all of the symptoms listed above, to first seek the help of a professional. They will be able to support you and help to manage your symptoms before they worsen or become out of hand. The help and support of a medical professional can be the difference between a happy and functioning life and an unhealthy, damaging and even impossible one."
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