TeenHealthFX - Answers - Confused About Bi-Polar and ADD

Bipolar Disorder & Extreme Moods / Question
Published: October 29, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Last year I was diagnosed with Bi-polar depression, and now I find out that I also have ADD. Is there any possibility that the doctors could have thought my ADD was bi-polar depression? Could the doctors have made a mistake?

Signed: Confused About Bi-Polar and ADD

Dear Confused About Bi-Polar and ADD,

Unfortunately, TeenHealthFX cannot diagnose you over the Internet and therefore cannot tell you whether or not the doctors made a mistake in diagnosing your bipolar depression as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). You should probably see your doctors again, tell them your concerns and perhaps get reevaluated.

It is possible that your bipolar depression could actually have been ADD, but only your doctor can confirm that. The two share some important symptoms, namely being unable to concentrate or pay attention and being impulsive. Actually, the American Psychiatric Association has established a long list of specific criteria for recognizing bipolar disorder, and evaluation involves ruling out other disorders such as school phobia and attention deficit disorder. However, depending on what other symptoms you were experiencing that made doctors diagnose you with bipolar disorder, you may actually have both illnesses; about one-third of children have more than one other condition along with ADD.

A person with bipolar disorder usually goes through severe mood swings that are much more severe than the average mood swings that most people experience. Bipolar disorder patients experience episodes where they suffer from mania (extreme highs) and depression (extreme lows). Symptoms of mania include racing thoughts, extreme irritability, inability to concentrate, and a significant increase in energy and sleeplessness. A person suffering from mania will often do things like gambling, going on spending sprees, and charging up their credit cards. Symptoms of depression include extreme sadness, lack of energy and loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable, decreased or increased appetite, difficulty with sleep (sometimes too much or not enough) and a lack of concentration.

In contrast, ADD is a behavioral disorder that affects a person's ability to concentrate and pay attention, as well as one's physical conduct. The most common symptoms of ADD are difficulty remaining focused on a task until it is completed (inattention), having a hard time starting and finishing boring, repetitive, or difficult tasks, difficulty thinking before acting (impulsiveness), and inappropriate or excessive activity (hyperactivity). So, there is some overlap between the two, but there are definitely certain symptoms that distinguish one illness from the other.

TeenHealthFX recommends that you see a pediatric psychiatrist or a pediatric neurologist so that you can clear this up and get appropriate treatment.

If you would like help finding a specialist in this area you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 888.247.1400 for an appointment

Signed: TeenHealthFX