Is there a connection between ADHD and bipolar disease?

Question

My niece was diagnosed as ADHD as a child. Now she has a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Does one disease progress into another? Or is it a case of misdiagnosis? Is it hereditary? She has 2 children who act just like she did as a child.

Answer 1

They have similiar symptoms, so it can be difficult to diagnose properly. It can also be a comorbid situation, in which both are present in one individual.

I believe I have both conditions, but very mild Bipolar - most likely 2 or cyclothymia. What many people do not know is that a lot of people with Bipolar disorder often experience an overlapping, mixed mood state, which I am in most of the time.

I also strongly agree with others who have said to stick to a diet free of processed foods, and educate yourself on the importance of choosing wholesome, organic over conventionally grown and raised food, not only for those of us with disorders but anyone who cares about their health. It's quite an eye-opener.

Answer 2

I've read there are a lot of kids with bipolar who are misdiagnosed as ADHD. The ADHD drugs are stimulants that paradoxically calm down the ADHD, but make bipolar mania worse. So it's pretty important to figure out the two. Bipolar usually comes with depression, and in girls I believe the depression usually hits before the mania in the development of the disorder. Misdiagnosis is a terrible, terrible problem, but what matters more than the right diagnosis is the right treatment, something that really helps.

Answer 3

I beleive that the common feeling among the mental health community is that these are two different disorders, although there is no denying that in the "manic" phase of Bipolar disorder.....people are indeed going to be acting in a fairly hyperactive manner. That's pretty much of a defining aspect of the "mania" half of Bipolar.

And no, I don't think there is the slightest bit of evidence that ADHD progresses into bipolar disorder. Another sign of this is that....as far as I know..... there is no crossover in the medications perscribed for each.

However, a "conservative" initial assesment of Bipolar might indeed be ADHD........but as symptoms and behaviors become more clear with time, the same symptoms might be more accurately be identified as the manic half of bipolar disorder instead.

And yes.....I know for a fact that there is a hereditary aspect to ADHD......and my guess is that research has shown that there may be a hereditary aspect to bipolar disorder as well.

But no......I think there is no evidence at all that ADHD progresses to Bipolar disorder.

Bob J.

Answer 4

My brother was diagnosed ADHD as a child and bipolar later on in his life. The doctor says that his first diagnosis as a child was a misdiagnosis as many are. Bipolar CAN, but is not always hereditary because my father and his brother have it as well. She needs to be under the care of a psychiatrist always, just to keep check on her and to make sure she is on the correct meds.

Answer 5

Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. These changes may be subtle or dramatic and typically vary greatly over the course of a person’s life as well as among individuals.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an illness characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The most commonly diagnosed behavior disorder in young persons, ADHD affects an estimated three percent to five percent of school-age children.

Mental illness can be hereditary.

Answer 6

I think this is very often misdiagnosed. My daughter has had ADHD all her life, and now that she's an adult, one Dr. told her she is bipolar. She tried several meds for people with bipolar disorder, and they just created new problems.
She now takes no meds except thyroid medication. She is problem free otherwise.
ADHD is hereditary. I now have 4 grandchildren with ADHD. I wouldn't trade them for a million dollars.
The disorder can be controlled (not cured) by altering the diet, and eliminating all salicylates. These are found in artificial colors and flavors, oranges, tomatoes, and flea bites to name a few. Also, aspirin.
Good luck.

Answer 7

Yes, it is for both questions. As a person gets older bipolar disorders progress because of the same chemical inbalances in the brain. It will be an ongoing problem for the rest of her life. A person with bipolar disease continually has to change medications and adjustments with amounts as well. It can be quite a battle. The best thing for her is to have real stability and a good schedule to work with as it will help with anxiety. The unknown is very hard for them to deal with. They go from being hyper to being suicidal and depressed all the time. It is a real rollercoaster ride for them. It is very hereditary. I have a brother and sister from a different father who have dealt with this as well. So is their father. It takes a lot of patience from others around them to help them feel ok about themselves.

Answer 8

My 4 y.o son who is now diagnosed with bipolar had the original diagnosis of ADHD. We questioned this because he could concentrate when he was interested in something. We switched psychologists/psychiatrists and now they say that he has bipolar. From what I understand and have heard from others there are alot of misdiagnoses with bipolar, especially in young children. Also, both of them are hereditary especially bipolar.

Answer 9

symptoms of bipolar disorder in children are often confused with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, the two conditions can coincide. In one study, 65% of adolescents with bipolar disorder met criteria for ADHD. Yet another study indicated that close to 25% of children diagnosed with ADHD either already had bipolar disorder or go on to develop it. The risk for both diagnoses is highest in white males. Symptoms are also more severe in people with both conditions.

Answer 10

Bipolar people usually have other disorders that are actually just part of the Bipolar but that can stand alone as well. ADHD is one of them. Others are OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), ODD (which is a defiance disorder), tics, etc. It is very complex.