Shown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jodie on January 28, 2003, at 22:35:31
I was just curious, has anyone been diagnosed, or heard of anyone that has been diagnosed with both? I was diagnosed over a year and a half ago with Bipolar disorder. Now a different pdoc is telling me I have ADD. I tend to be very impulsive, which is a symptom of both, but I have ups and downs a lot. I have had problems with mania (at least was sure at the time it was mania). Where I would have grandiose feelings/thoughts, very impulsive, couldn't sleep, had lots of energy, and was constantly told to slow down when talking. I would make poor decisions. Then BAM... depression would hit me. I wouldn't leave the house for days, called in sick to work, had no energy, cried all the time. I have lost several jobs from this. I would/do have severe mania maybe once or twice a year. I would say I rapid cycle more often. Mood stabilizers didn't seem to help, but then again from side effects, I was never on any single one for very long.
I am, and have always been very disorganized. I feel like I try to keep organized, but its a lost cause. Every cabinet, closet, drawer is so cluttered. I lose things all of the time, like keys, cell phone, remotes, purse, money, you name it, and I've lost it at least once. I've had these problems since I was a small child. My parents didn't seek help for me then, just punished me. I have so many symptoms of ADD, and Bipolar. Could I have both? If so, how is it treated? Any advice would help!
Thanks
Jodie
Posted by Ritch on January 28, 2003, at 23:33:14
In reply to Bipolar and ADD/HD?, posted by jodie on January 28, 2003, at 22:35:31
> I was just curious, has anyone been diagnosed, or heard of anyone that has been diagnosed with both? I was diagnosed over a year and a half ago with Bipolar disorder. Now a different pdoc is telling me I have ADD. I tend to be very impulsive, which is a symptom of both, but I have ups and downs a lot. I have had problems with mania (at least was sure at the time it was mania). Where I would have grandiose feelings/thoughts, very impulsive, couldn't sleep, had lots of energy, and was constantly told to slow down when talking. I would make poor decisions. Then BAM... depression would hit me. I wouldn't leave the house for days, called in sick to work, had no energy, cried all the time. I have lost several jobs from this. I would/do have severe mania maybe once or twice a year. I would say I rapid cycle more often. Mood stabilizers didn't seem to help, but then again from side effects, I was never on any single one for very long.
>
> I am, and have always been very disorganized. I feel like I try to keep organized, but its a lost cause. Every cabinet, closet, drawer is so cluttered. I lose things all of the time, like keys, cell phone, remotes, purse, money, you name it, and I've lost it at least once. I've had these problems since I was a small child. My parents didn't seek help for me then, just punished me. I have so many symptoms of ADD, and Bipolar. Could I have both? If so, how is it treated? Any advice would help!
>
> Thanks
>
> JodieI have been formally diagnosed with both (plus GAD). It is a horrific hassle to find meds that can work for these multiple problems without aggravating the others. Antimanics can worsen ADD symptoms (depending on their mechanisms/dosages), antidepressants can worsen bipolar symptoms, stimulants can worsen bipolar and/or anxiety symptoms.
Posted by seahorse on January 30, 2003, at 2:52:01
In reply to Bipolar and ADD/HD?, posted by jodie on January 28, 2003, at 22:35:31
I was diagnosed adhd as an adult (about 4 years ago). I also have panic disorder and atypical depression--the kind of depression that bipolar folks get. My adhd is severe in terms of organization, impulsivness, talking too much, writing too much....too too much of everything. My doc thought I might also be bipolar 2, (I don't get super manic--don't overspend or anything like that, but do have other symptoms of mania--like insomnia which is why I am answering posts at 2 am.) My doc tried various mood disorder meds--I think depakote helped but I went off it due to weight gain, ditto resperdal, and topomax was a disaster. seraquel was useless. I just stayed on my regimen of adderal, zoloft welbruitrin.
I don't know what to tell you, I know they can both exist together but my doc says it is a difficult diagnosis to make and there are issues with the medication interactions. Besides seeing p-doc, he suggested I also see psychologist for cognitive behavioral therapy, which is helping.
This is the end of the thread.
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