Do I have ADHD

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Fri, May 16, 2008

I saw my psych and asked him that. I ased him since I had been diagnosed with bipolar if that meant I didn't have ADHD. He told me that it may but that I may have both. He said that if I have both the bipolar needs to be treated first and then the ADHD but that he still wasn't going to medicate me for the AdHD because of the bad reaction I had to the meds. When I spoke to my counselor about the new diagnosis she denied that it could even be a possibility and told me that I have never been manic. When I told her that I had she essentially gave me the same questionnaire that my psych did. I am just feeling drained by all of this and was hoping I could get some support.

Thanks,

Alice

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Eileen Bailey

5/18/08 8:41pm

Alice,

Your counselor did not agree with the diagnosis of ADHD and does not agree with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. What diagnosis is she giving you?

Eileen

Alice Hale

5/18/08 11:09pm

She thinks I have major depression and until recently I thought that was an accurate diagnosis. But I have become more aware of my moods lately and I have noticed how quickly my they rise and fall and the medication they prescribed me for bipolar is working wonders for me. So I am beginning to doubt her diagnosis.

~Alice

Eileen Bailey

5/20/08 9:07pm

Alice

You have been through so much in the past few months with diagnosis and treatment.

Although not a doctor or medical professional in any way, from experience (my son's) I can tell you his bipolar would get out of control when he took stimulant medication. I read somewhere that stimulant medication can trigger bipolar cycling. That would be pretty consistent with what you experienced on stimulants.

I couldn't say one way or the other about which diagnosis is correct, but sometimes, diagnosis comes not from symptoms but from which treatment works. If treating with medication for bipolar medication is helping you, then that is what works and you should continue it.

Keeping a log of your moods can help. Then sharing it with both the psychiatrist and the counselor can help to target your treatment and find what works best for you.

Have your psychiatrist and counselor talked together?

Here's hoping your week will be great.

Eileen

Alice Hale

5/20/08 9:22pm

Thanks for the reply. I am keeping a mood log of to keep track of my ups and downs but I have yet to be successful at getting my psychiatrist and my counseor to speak to eachother. I am in a support group through the same agency I see my counselor and I spoke to them about how I could go about getting my psych and my counselor to speak to eachother because it is so draining for me to be the messenger and they suggested that I just mention what I talked about in group to my counselor and bring it up to her then. I tend to believe I have bipolar because my moods are more stable then they were before and since I have started on the meds I haven't had any suicidal ideations and I am not as irritable or anxious about things. Since posting this I have asked my psych if my bipolar was mistaken for ADHD and he said it may have been and that he'll re-test me for it but that he suspects that Ihave both.

Eileen Bailey

5/20/08 9:57pm

Alice

ADHD and Bipolar are commonly co-existing. However, sometimes ADHD medication is not necessary if the bipolar is under control. I agree that treating the mood disorder would first would be most helpful. Then, see how the ADHD symptoms are and decide if you want to try medication again or if you want to try to manage with behavior modification.

Maybe you should tell your counselor exactly what you have told me, that this is draining being a messenger and that you don't want to do that.

Eileen

Alice Hale

5/21/08 11:41am

That makes a lot of sense because my understanding, from what my psych has told me, is that he doesn't believe that I need meds since I have started on the meds for bipolar.

I have every intention of telling my counselor how draining it is being the messenger because I believe that had they spoken to eachother that med mishap may have been avoidable, myabe not, but there would've been a better chance of it being avoded then there is at the current time.

Thanks for all your help,

Alice

Eileen Bailey

5/22/08 1:48pm

Keep me posted on how it all works out.

Eileen

Alice Hale

5/22/08 11:05pm

Just to update you! I saw my counselor today and we discussed the possibility of my being bipolar again. After looking at my mood tracker she agreed that I probably was and started the process of filling out the paperwork to change the diagnosis in my chart.

~Alice

Windhorse

6/12/08 11:38pm

When I was diagnosed with bi-polar 2 (no mania - your counselor doesn't seem to know there are 3 types) and ADHD (no surpise there as it runs in my family) I threw myself into "better living through chemistry". I don't blame my shrink because it's all so tricky and individual, but after a few years of trying to find the Pollyanna Pill, my head was such a mess that I qualified for Social Security Disability. This has at least allowed me to take the "Emily Dickenson Cure" (she just locked herself away when she needed to) and drop out of an inhumane society that expects us to be on 24/7. These drugs are VERY powerful. They caused clinical manias in me twice and once I was hospitalized. I don't want to suggest that you not take your drs advice, but get second opinions, do all you can to control your head without drugs and remember that ultimately YOU are in charge of your life and the way you choose to live it.

justme

7/ 4/08 2:49am

I am no specialist, only can tell you from experience. My son was "normal until he became a meth addict. Now he is cosidered bipolar. If you have never been manic, you aren't bipolar. I'd stay away from any of these over-prescribed Rx's that mess you up even more. Do you need that junk? Get a small pet, do relaxation exercises, take walks, listen to soothing music, take up painting - anythig that relaxes you without putting extra chemicals into your body. Have you noticed any foods that may cause you to react? Try to take only what has proven to be really good for your body. Often, it is the same stuff that is also good for your mind. Best wishes, justme

aaron

7/10/08 6:08am

hey , i just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that. most people only seek help when they are depressed and there fore get dx with depression. 2nd mania can also be manafested as extreme irritability(this is were i fall in). next adhd goes hand in hand with bipolar disorder. now as far as who to listen to when it comes to who to listen to i would chose the one who has the mast years of school under there belt.

Anonymous

7/13/08 1:57pm

First my advice would be to research research reseach! Doctors do not know in my experience much about this disorder. go to the top doctors in the country and start asking questions. reaseach Every medication you are taking. Mood swings can be caused by thyriod disorders, sugar levels, sleep patterns, sunlight, interactions between drugs, and of course stress. I'm 40 and was diagnosed with adhd and bipolar 1 at 16. I take adderall as well as a mood stabilizer. What ever you do do not keep changing you drugs around. the dosage may need to be adjusted but switching meds is like experimenting with street drugs-it will make you symptoms worse. Take them consitantly. Lamital and tompax do not go together???? what's your dosage? topamax worked great for me but drink water and watch your electrole levels ex. in the summer. Remember this is physical a progressive disease...don't let people tell you it's in your head. Sometime you feel a certain way and think thoughts that are just a manifestation of body chemistry. TRUST YOURSELF. listen to what the doctors say but keep your eyes and ears open. Adderall for me takes away my panic attacts and calms me down.( and I'm BP 1 with phys. eposides) more so than clonopin or xanaz ect. but that's me. It takes time to figure out what combination works for you. If you think you are having a side affect to a med tell your doctor. nobody believed me that I was having black outs on ambien - ten years later it's on the news. or that I was gaining weight on abilify. keep up to date on new research ...talk to your pharmasist. Try a small dosage or try vyvance. By the way bipolars can take adderall with going manic thats bullshit it depends on the person. I take 80mg a day and am fine. If you gave me paxil I'd be in the hospital in a week on a high. Good luck. heather

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