ADHD and Bipolar disorder are two distinct mental health conditions, but both look similar. It is because the symptoms like impulsivity, restlessness, and distractibility can overlap and make the diagnosis difficult. So, it confuses people as they are unable to understand where one condition ends and the other begins.
As per the research by the World Health Organization (WHO), 3 to 6 percent of the adult population has ADHD, and bipolar disorder affects 0.5 to 2.5% of people around the World. However, when both conditions occur together, it severely impacts daily life as the persistent mood swings and attention challenges cause conflicts.
While ADHD and bipolar disorder overlap in symptoms, both are distinct, as they have different origins and durations. Understanding the connection between the two disorders can help in diagnosing the exact condition and providing more suitable treatments.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition in which people act impulsively, remain inattentive, and are unable to pay attention. All these symptoms severely interfere with everyday life activities and affect relationships, performance at work, social interactions, and school. It usually starts in the early years of life but can persist till adulthood if untreated. It affects men and women equally, but women often remain underdiagnosed as they show more inattentive symptoms. People in this state have trouble sitting in one place, fidgeting, talking excessively, remaining sad, and they feel like they don’t have energy.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health disorder in which people experience extreme shifts in mood. People with bipolar disorder experience emotional highs and lows, such as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression. These shifts are mood episodes and are different from the person’s usual state. People struggling with bipolar disorder usually remain irritated or hyperactive, and the mood shifts affect sleep and energy. It can occur rarely or can occur multiple times in a year and lasts for several days.
However, some individuals only experience one state, while some experience both mania and depression at the same time. Bipolar disorder usually develops in the late teens or early adulthood, and it’s a highly manageable condition with the right combination of medication and therapies.
Similarities Between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder
As per the research by the National Institute of Medicine, 7.9% of adults with ADHD were diagnosed with bipolar disorder. There are several symptoms that are common to both conditions, which ultimately make the diagnosis challenging.
1.Hyperactivity and Restlessness
People struggling with bipolar disorder and ADHD can feel restless most of the time. They are unable to remain still, as the main difference is that hyperactivity occurs differently in both disorders. Bipolar disorder hyperactivity fluctuates with mood, whereas ADHD hyperactivity does not.
2.Difficulty Focusing
ADHD and bipolar disorder both affect a person’s concentration. It makes individuals frequently switch between tasks, which ultimately affects workflow and academics. Most people think concentration issues particularly happen in ADHD, whereas they can also happen during manic episodes. The racing thoughts in bipolar disorder make it hard to focus on any single thing.
3.Impulsivity
Impulsivity can occur in both conditions, which ultimately makes both conditions overlap with one another. Impulsive people make quick decisions without thinking about the consequences in both conditions. However, in individuals with ADHD, it stems from imbalances of neurotransmitters, which affect the parts of the brain that regulate impulse control. In bipolar disorder, impulsivity rises when a person is experiencing manic phases, and their judgment becomes impaired.
4.Sleep Problems
Both conditions, ADHD and bipolar disorder, cause sleeping issues. It severely disrupts brain activity and causes issues with sleeping, and can also lead to insomnia. Approximately 25-50% of individuals with ADHD experience insomnia. However, in bipolar disorder, decreased sleep usually precedes manic episodes and can trigger further mood fluctuation.
5.Mood Changes
Mood changes are the main issues in people as they cause dramatic mood swings that occur a few times yearly. People with ADHD also face emotional challenges. Yet, ADHD-related mood shifts happen numerous times every day rather than in distinct episodes.
6.Communication patterns
Individuals struggling with ADHD interrupt others while talking or talk excessively. It’s because they just miss the ques, and their brain just goes on a racing point. Whereas people with bipolar disorder experience a manic episode and often change topics quickly. This behavior shows how both conditions can overlap and affect communication.
7.Racing Thoughts
Individuals with bipolar disorder and ADHD both report racing thoughts. As with mania, the person’s racing thoughts flash so fast that they forget about everything else happening around them. This is a common hallmark of ADHD that often misleads the individual that a person is struggling with ADHD, though both are quite different in nature.
8.Risky behaviors
Risky behaviors are common in both disorders, as people with a manic episode and ADHD can both engage in risky sexual or illegal behavior. However, it is more common in ADHD and is mistaken for it.
9.Emotional Dysregulation
Individuals with both disorders have issues with managing emotions. As they remain irritated most of the time and can struggle with frustration, lower patience, and intense reactions to emotional triggers.
What is the Difference between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder and ADHD have similarities and some differences as well. As the nature of both conditions is different. Here are some major differences between bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Age of onset
One of the major differences between ADHD and bipolar disorder is their age of onset. ADHD usually starts in childhood, and its symptoms occur before the age of 12 and affect long-term functioning. Whereas bipolar disorder develops in adulthood or early adulthood, and its episodes last days to weeks.
Nature of symptoms
Both conditions have differences in symptoms and duration. The symptoms of bipolar disorders occur as episodic periods of mania and depression, which last for weeks or longer. Whereas ADHD symptoms are chronic and less episodic, they fluctuate in intensity.
Triggers
The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be triggered anytime, as the triggers are commonly linked to mood episodes. Whereas external circumstances don’t affect symptoms of ADHD.
Mood and Attention Regulation
People with bipolar disorder have mood symptoms, as they struggle with mood and experience intense emotional highs and lows, which severely affect everyday life. Whereas ADHD symptoms cause difficulties in concentration, managing tasks, and affect productivity.
Although both have some similar symptoms, they also have differences, which ultimately cause the diagnosis to be challenging.
Diagnosing ADHD and Bipolar Disorder
The diagnosis of both disorders can be challenging and often leads to misdiagnosis. It prevents an appropriate treatment, which causes a delay in the progression of symptoms. As most of the symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD have an overriding effect, this causes a potential delay in symptoms, making it severely challenging to treat. To identify the exact condition, a mental health professional assesses the condition before checking whether the disorder is congenital or not. Do they follow any family history or have any comorbidities?
Moreover, certain factors could affect the behavioural patterns, affecting the cognitive and neuropsychological functioning. That is why a comprehensive assessment from a psychiatrist is essential, who can evaluate the disorder. The mental health professional uses the guidelines described under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)
Can you have ADHD and bipolar disorder?
Yes, a person can have ADHD and bipolar disorder at the same time. As this shows a unique diagnostic and treatment challenge. However, both conditions need to be managed simultaneously.
Some of the strategies include:
- Careful review of the prescription to avoid making symptoms worse
- Providing education to the patient to regularly monitor and manage the symptoms
- A collaborative approach between the patient and the mental health professional.
However, it’s completely normal to experience the symptoms of both conditions together, such as emotional highs and lows and impulsivity or distraction. But it severely impacts everyday life and relationships. Make sure to get the appropriate treatment from a mental health professional. As both conditions are confused and pose challenges in the treatments.
Treatment of ADHD and Bipolar Disorder
Both conditions are highly treatable with the right combination of medications and therapies. The first-choice treatment for both ADHD and bipolar disorder is medication management. The treatment options depend on the unique circumstances of an individual.
Psychiatric Medication Management
To treat bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers typically come as the first treatment, and stimulant medications for ADHD. However, stimulants require caution, as they might trigger manic episodes in some people. Medications for ADHD can assist with the brain’s executive functioning.
Psychotherapies
Psychotherapies are talk therapies in which a patient and a mental health expert sit together and talk about their issues. Mental health experts diagnose the exact condition, and they recommend therapies according to the severity and condition. Here are some of the common therapies that can help in managing bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Individualised Therapy
Individualised therapy is the primary treatment to help people manage ADHD and bipolar disorder. The mental health expert uses evidence-based methods and a range of tailored treatments to help you identify negative patterns and develop coping strategies. However, these methods show clear results in scientific studies.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based therapy in which mental health experts help change the negative thought patterns into helpful ones. CBT teaches people to view situations in a more balanced way. This method also provides practical skills to stay calm when negative thoughts occur in ADHD.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT helps in managing emotional regulation and teaches practical skills to handle difficult moments. It also helps people communicate better with others. It is very useful for those who experience frequent or intense periods of mania and depression.
Marriage and Family Therapy
In this therapy, a mental health professional involved family members in the treatment process. They educate the family members about the condition and target important communication skills if symptoms of ADHD are causing tension.
However, if you feel like you have both ADHD and bipolar disorder, seeking professional help is essential. As a mental health professional helps in treating both conditions, and can provide an accurate diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan. The right collaborative treatment of medication and therapy can help people manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Get the Expert Care You Deserve at Renewed Mental Health Group.
It is important to understand how you feel, and if you feel like your symptoms are getting out of control, seek professional help immediately.
At Renewed Mental Health Group, we have a team of mental health professionals who offer comprehensive treatment plans for people who face challenges with their moods and remain inattentive. Our experts help those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other disorders that are hard to control on their own. We listen to your concerns and find a way to support you. Our dedicated team of experts offers the best treatment options for all types of mental disorders. So, whether you are comfortable booking sessions online or prefer to come in person. We can facilitate you in every way possible.
We also cover a wide range of insurance and self-pay options as well, so you don’t have to worry about the bills. Send us an email with your concern or one specific problem you want to resolve, and we will get back to you with effective treatment options.
Mental health care is a necessity. It is a necessary part of a healthy life and a productive career.
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