when i first went for help 8 years ago i went to social services because i had no money or insurance for a private doctor, and was diagnosed with bipolar & clinical depression. 4 years later i went to a very good but new private doctor, and the diagnosis went with me. after several years of treatment i never really got any better in my opinion. was still very depressed and i hadn't had a manic eppisode in 10 years. this year i kept trying to tell her i thought something was not right with my diagnosis. but she insisted i was bipolar eventho i had no manic eppisodes. last summer my older sister was diagnosed with adult adhd and took meds and got much better. when i told my doc this she gave me the test and i scored 2 pts. from the highest possible score! i just started vyvanse and my whole life has changed for the better. i can think clearly, do my chores, not as depressed, if feel as tho a light has come on in a very dark room thats beendark for 15 years. i can't tell you what a difference this med. has made for me. do you think i was diagnosed wrong the whole time? because this social service mental health department was a horrible joke of a place anyway. just concerned. thanks!
Q: Was I diagnosed wrong?
Hi ChattyCathy,
Yes, it certainly is possible that you were misdiagnosed. In fact, many adults with ADHD are misdiagnosed (typically, as having depression) because many of the symptoms of ADHD and depression overlap and because many clinicians simply don't have a solid understanding of ADHD in adults. Further, we often see women misdiagnosed because again, clinicians may not understand how ADHD looks in this population.
Still, I would wonder about your past "manic" episodes. Some folks with ADHD can "look" manic when they are instead, very hyperactive. That may have been the case with you. But if the episode was indeed part of a bipolar spectrum, then you would want to stay in close contact with your doctor, especially in the beginning stages of taking Vyvanse (a stimulant) to make sure it doesn't trigger a possible manic episode.
Then again, it might not have been mania to begin with!
I'm glad the Vyvanse is working for you- keep us posted on your progress.
Terry
I think maybe perhaps you need a good dr. to tell you that. I myself found i was in bed at 6;00 and the the kids were playing outside..i alway found excuses to go to bed. This was when i was a kid 8,9,10.
and i cant remember reading a whole book and remembering what i read. Now im 55 and im on addrell. it helps me be a happier person, and at least i can be around other people now. Dont give up when it only takes one pill! 
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