Bipolar or ADHD?

Q: Bipolar or ADHD?

Attention deficit disorder ( ADHD ) is a neurologically based disorder manifested by a chronic and pervasive history of hyperactivity and/or distractibility and/or impulsivity. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that often starts in childhood and that is characterized by mood swings from depressed to happy or euphoric and/or from calm to anger or rage. Sometimes it is difficult to separate these two out. About 50 percent of adults who are bipolar also have ADHD. I suggest you see a competent psychiatrist who can help you separate out which of these diagnoses you might have. New AAP Guidelines: ADHD Evaluation Can Begin at Age 4 The ADHD Aha! Moment The Physician’s Guide for Distinguishing Bipolar Disorder and ADHD Where ADHD and Bipolar Disorder Overlap Download: Free Expert Resource: Solving the Bipolar and ADHD Puzzle Save

“Can you help me differentiate between the diagnoses of ADHD and bipolar disorder?”

By Larry Silver, M.D. Verified Updated on March 31, 2022

Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is a neurologically based disorder manifested by a chronic and pervasive history of hyperactivity and/or distractibility and/or impulsivity.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that often starts in childhood and that is characterized by mood swings from depressed to happy or euphoric and/or from calm to anger or rage.

Sometimes it is difficult to separate these two out. About 50 percent of adults who are bipolar also have ADHD. I suggest you see a competent psychiatrist who can help you separate out which of these diagnoses you might have.