Posted by linkadge on October 26, 2010, at 17:04:58
In reply to Re: BP!/OCD Changing Meds, Need Advice, posted by linkadge on October 26, 2010, at 7:11:46
Mania and ADHD are often confused, and there can be overlap too. ADHDrs are more likely to simply make poor choises (due to "lack of thinking it through") when confronted with tough decisions. Whereas, bipolars make poor decisions because they are driven by a prolonged desire to attain power, money, pleasure, control etc. I.e. their ideals / goals are actually distorted by enhanced reward sensitivity. I.e. bipolars know exactly what they are doing (self awareness is enhanced), but the elevated mood skews or downplays the implications of the action.
Examples:Affiair:
--------
Bipolar --> I've been so friggen horney for the past week so I'm gunning it to do it with that chick from work. I know I can make it happen!ADHD --> Sure, I noticed that Shirly was attractive, and when she made the move I just did it, I didn't think about it much.
Stealing:
--------Bipolar --> Thats a friggen awesome game and I need it. I'm going to go and steal it. I won't get caught! Its those idiots who act stupid and guilty that get caught. (i.e. planning is intact, feelings of being more capable )
ADHD --> My friends were pressuring me to steal the game. Sure, I wanted it, I didn't really want to steal. I felt so stupid when I got home. I didn't think it through.
Buying things
-------------Bipolar--> I loaded with money! I'm going to go out tonight and buy the stuff I want. Its going to be awesome. We're going to make this night rock! Money is meant to be spent, you only live once! (pleasure directed -- prior intent to purchase)
ADHD --> The item was on sale and Julie was buying one too. I never thought about whether I actually needed one. (not driven (as much) by pleasure, more just a poor decision at the time)
Racing Mind
-----------Bipolar --> First I'm going to clean the sofas, then the yard, but the yard needs a new fence, so we'll do that too. My front yard looks fantastic, infact its better than anyones on the whole street, so lets make the back yard better. It takes Julie 3 days to do her back yard, but I'm incredably faster than she is, I'll have it done in 35 minutes. My kids are going to love it! The whole town will love it!
ADHD --> "" (no dialog really, just a bunch of flitting incomplete noises and thougts - thoughts don't usually reflect unrealistic goals, instead they are just incomplete thoughts with no direction - noise. Not so much "racing" as noisy, cluttered, incomplete.)
Of course, these are generalizations but...
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:966982
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101020/msgs/967060.html