I've read that ADHD can look a bit different in school aged girls. My grades didn't drop significantly until 7th grade. Is it possible to get good grades if someone with ADHD is very, very interested in the subject matter? I had one year of school to become a practical nurse and did well. Now I'm 40 years old and I read symptoms of adult ADHD and I seem to fit the picture perfectly. Either that, or my sx are all from my BP disease. Please, please, contact me so I can give further details; I'm so afraid I need treatment for this and I'm not getting it. juliebob1126@live.com
Introducing Mood 24/7, a new tool that helps you track your mood from day to day using your mobile phone. Try it today!
Q: I have bipolar II and am now begining to wonder if I have adult adhd or are these symptoms from myBP
Answers (6)
5/30/08 8:31am
I've read that ADHD (or ADD--just went to a conference & apparently all use ADHD now even if hyperactivity is not a symptom--which it is not in my case; maybe a professional can tell me if that is true or just something local here {using ADHD in all cases & not using ADD anymore})--anyway, is very common for people with bipolar (bipolar 1 in my case) to have ADHD as well. I do take a stimulant (Concerta) & find it essential to my functioning.
I was an A student in courses I was interested & barely passed the others but dropped out of college my jr year due to not being able to handle the stress. I was untreated for bipolar & ADHD back then (54 years old now) & had very STRANGE studying techniques--had to type notes over & over again to learn them; something about the physical typing in conjunction with the reading helped me remember things; drove my college room-mate crazy as this was before computers & the typewriter was noisy & I would type all night long. She moved in with her boyfriend.
I also highlighted practically the whole textbook. I couldn't figure out what was important. It all seemed important so I just memorized the whole chapter by brute force without really understanding the concepts (especially math & science).
I would definitely have your psychiatrist do a screening for ADHD.
5/29/08 10:50pm
I also am a BPII, and have been treated for Adult ADD for the last 5 years. I am female, and as you said, it presents differently in girls than boys. Girls don't tend to get the Hyper part, more of a daydreaming, distracted reaction. I was a "B-Average student, who would get great grades if I really liked the teacher or the subject, and just barely pull C's if I didn'.
While I managed to pick up some community college credits as we moved around during my hubby's 25 years in the service, I never stayed in one place long enough to finish my AA.
Now at 52 I am in College and have it 3/4 finished, am on the proper meds that are balanced with my BP/Migraine/Thyroid meds. And am happier than I have been in years.
I started with the NON-stimulant meds first, and as they became less effective I finally started on a stimulant one. It was the right move for ME! I have a great Dr. that really checks all the interactions, and balances the types of each med so I am on the best combo, at the lowest doses.
Be sure to address this with your Psych. As it can affect work, and it does become more pronounced as we get older.
5/19/11 2:26am
Wow, I feel and am experiencing amazingly the same as you described. Now 50 years old I only feel more depressed, lonely, scratching to get through every day. On effexor, ampilify and adhd drugs. Is there hope? Let me know if you find the right doctor and meds.
Thank you and I wish you the best.
Sincerely, Sherry
5/30/08 10:02pm
It is my understanding that ADHD and bipolar are related to or are on the same gene. It is very common to go together. Racing thoughts and depression can also cause ADHD symptoms as well. You really should have your doctor screen. Hopefully you have one who knows his (or her) stuff. If you do decide to try a stimulant med for ADHD make sure they start you at a low dose, it can cause a manic episode. A side line to this is that OCD also goes alone with bipolar as well. Like we don't have enough to deal with!!!
6/ 2/08 6:36pm
Yes, it is possible for someone with ADD/ADHD to have good grades. A colleague of mine has a PhD in mathematics, and he is ADHD. His wife told me that many successful people suffer from ADHD/ADD or BP or OCD. The ADHD allows some people to focus on something that they like to the exclusion of all else, however, they have no attention span when it comes to something that they aren't interested in. BP mania/hypermania can also produce the same symptoms as ADHD. This is not to say that you could not have both. I know a doctor who once said that it is best to treat the BP first, and if the ADHD symptoms are still there after the BP is being properly treated, then it is time to consider that as a secondary diagnosis. Only a medical doctor can properly test, diagnose, and treat you. Be sure to find a doctor that you can communicate with and who will take your concerns seriously.
7/16/08 9:01pm
I suffered for 15 years with dr.s telling me iam depressed then it was manic.i have taken every antidepresent only to make it worse and real manic,i now have been diganosed with bipolar II and adult ADD,i have no consentration,restless bored etc,iam now just starting lamictal we have not addressed the add yet i get really frustraied and cant wait to think clearly again
5/30/10 5:26pm
Toatally con-current conditions, in my case tied up even more with my eating disorder and bulimia, plus my bi-polar and OCD. where does it end??? but the adderall has worked really well with the ADD and the Bi polar because the adderall have 5 different salts in it that space out how they enter your system. It is not strong and I understand that vyvanse is even better because it goes even more slowly though your system to decrease the addiction fear on the part of the doctors. I changed 400% to be able to read and comprehend and study, it is so worth trying..... DO NOT GET GENERIC. bad effects.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
I am a 22 yr old female, I have been diagnosed with BP2 after years of manic mood swings, it's affected my work, my reputation and my love life, I've thrown out the Efexor-XR I was prescribed by my doctor, who seemed to see me as somewhat as a guinea pig. I have found the only way to deal with my 'downers' is to stay away from people and do something that will keep my hands busy, I'll usually do my housecleaning, draw and listen to music but now my mood swings have become out of control, and after doing some personal research I think I might also have ADHD. I haven't had this diagnosed clinicaly, but I am starting to lose patience with the doctors trying to experiment with different drugs 'until they find the right one for me', this is damaging me further and I don't know what to do to calm myself down anymore. I have always been excessively hyperactive, everything I do is at 100 miles an hour, Though my concentration is deeply affected, particulary listening to lectures or long conversations On a 'high' I will be extremely happy, loud, optimistic, and motivated. I have found that marijuana in small doses calms me down and controls my mood swings, though I am aware of the long term effects of this drug as well and obviously cannot use it as a long time solution, Just want to find a way to help myself, hope somebody who reads this can offer a few tips.