Someone can have both ADHD and bipolar disorder, and both conditions need to be treated.
Both conditions can significantly affect a person’s daily functioning.
ADHD vs. Bipolar
ADHD and bipolar disorder are different conditions with different symptoms.
JGI/Jamie Grill / Blend Images / Getty Images
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention and behavior.
ADHD is a chronic condition, but the symptoms may lessen or disappear in adulthood.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition with episodes of symptoms that a person can learn to manage.
In terms of causes, ADHD and bipolar disorder are both thought to have a strong genetic link.
Symptoms of ADHD
The main symptom of ADHD is trouble paying attention.
With ADHD, the symptoms ofdistractibilityand/or impulsivity andhyperactivityor restlessness are always present.
A person’s environment can also influence their ADHD symptoms.
ADHD is often diagnosed in children.
Caregivers and teachers may notice that a child has a hard time sitting still or paying attention in class.
ADHD can also be diagnosed in adults.
A person may have had ADHD symptoms since childhood but was never diagnosed.
Bipolar disorder is usually diagnosed during the teen years or early adulthood.
However, symptoms can appear earlier in childhood.
In some cases, bipolar disorder can be diagnosed as early as age 6.
The mood episodes in bipolar disorder are more significant than typical mood swings.
The episodes can alternate with periods of typical mood and function.
Bipolar episodes usually occur independently of any outside influences in a person’s environment.
Themanic episodescan severely affect a persons ability to function in their daily life.
They may also feel irritable.
They may even have suicidal thoughts.
Some people with ADHD benefit from taking medication.
The most common drugs prescribed to treat ADHD arestimulant medications.
A careful mental health evaluation is needed to diagnose bipolar and/or ADHD.
Its important that a provider understands both conditions and can tell them apart since they can share some symptoms.
Can You Have ADHD and Bipolar Disorder?
Evidence suggests that it is not uncommon for people to have both ADHD and bipolar disorder.
The review also found that almost one in six adults with bipolar disorder also had ADHD.
Summary
While bipolar disorder and ADHD are different conditions, some of their symptoms overlap.
Its also possible for a person to have both bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Getting an accurate diagnosis is important because the wrong treatment for bipolar disorder or ADHD can make symptoms worse.
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder in children and teens.
2021;124:100-123. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.017
MedlinePlus.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
2014;40 Suppl 4:S233-45.
doi:10.1093/schbul/sbu036
APA.What are bipolar disorders?.
NAMI.Different types of therapy for bipolar disorder.
Girard R, Joober R.Treatment of ADHD in patients with bipolar disorder.J Psychiatry Neurosci.
2017;42(6):E11-E12.
