Is there a correlation between ADD and Bipolar Disorder/Depression?

Question

I was diagnosed with ADD in 5th grade. Because my family was 'lower income' and didnt want help from the state, I stoped taking medication for this condition in 7th grade. I struggled a bit through high school, both socially and with school work. I was a 'cutter' at one point as well. I took a 'self assessment' in our textbooks and it said that I likely had Bipolar Disorder(the one that is depressed most of the time, and only 'manic' some of the time)
I graduated four years ago, went to college a little and dropped out because I didnt have the disipline to keep going. I dont seem to have any 'drive' anymore. All of my goal from high school seem so out of reach. I am sleepy all the time, and that isnt cool because I have a husband and a daughter now.
Does this sound like Depression, Bipolar Disorder, or ADD? or something else?

Also: I am afraid to get this checked out because I have heard that they just start putting you on meds, and that sometimes you wind up feeling worse than before you started. Is this true?

Answer 1

Most people who have ADD or ADHD have other disorders...it's highly likely that you have depression with your ADD. Remember, you don't "grow out" of ADD...you just grow into it.

I have ADHD...so I know all about the starting things and not finishing them...the feelings of failure, the fatigue from depression, etc.

The myth is "Medication will make it worse", everyone is different...but medication can be life changing in a positive way.

Please, don't listen to all the myths...you'll only cheat yourself and your family out of a peaceful, normal life. Love yourself and get a proper diagnosis and some medication for the ADD. You may do so well on it you won't need an anti depressant!

This has been my experience...I've done wonderfully on Adderall. I, too, thought medication was a bad thing...I wasted a lot of years not getting a proper diagnosis.

I'm not saying that medication is a "cure-all", but it certainly has a made a positive difference in my life. I'm still disorganized as hell and moody.

I've often wondered if I'm Bipolar...my son was recently diagnosed. He didn't cut himself but he was always peeling his skin off his hands and drawing on himself. I won't go into to all of it...I could write a book on here! I just feel your pain and wish you the best of luck.

Please feel free to post some more questions...I'm glad to help!

Answer 2

Chances are, your ADD diagnoses may not have been correct. If you feel that after taking the self assessment that you relate more to Bi-polar, the ADD thing was POSSIBLY (I am not a Dr.) off.

The lack of attention can be attributed to depression or mania. During the lows, you loose interest in pretty much everything. During the highs, your mind is racing a mile a minute, or your so irritated that you only focus on things for short periods. Bipolar is hard to hit on the head during adolescense.

I would suggest making an appointment with a psychiatrist. Before you go, start a journal and record everything (wake and sleep times, how long you sleep, how your sleep is, mood on a scale of 1 to 10, behaviors {ie shopping, writing, drawing, nothing}) to take with you so the Dr. can have a better idea of what they are dealing with.

As far as the medications, yes there are some that numb you out. If that happens, tell your Dr. and try something else. There are tons of medications available today, so it may take some time to find the right combination, but once you do, it will make all the difference. Be patient and talk to your Dr. I have gone through at least 8 different combinations. The one I am currently on I have had to adjust the levels 3 times. It's working for me.

Answer 3

Children being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is a fairly new thing. The children's version is so different from the adult version it wasn't recognized for a long time. It is not uncommon for children who have Bipolar to be diagnosed with ADHD (ADD?) first. So there is a good chance that you could have been misdiagnosed in the 5th grade. You didn't say much about having cycles in your post, but if you are concerned maybe you should be evaluated by a professional.
My son is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. He is on several medications and is doing really great. If you are on the right meds they should not make you a zombie. This can be a trial and error though.

Answer 4

any of these you can look up on the computer .........bipolar there are two types of bipolar. Depression can be a part of bipolar because when you are on the down side you are and can feel down.tired,sleepy don't want to do anything ,not even enjoy activities that were enjoyable before, do what i call "sleep marathons",eat a lot or hardly eat at all. get upset easily.or even angry. Then there is the manic part.where you feel nothing can go wrong, you got so much energy that you are whipping through your work quickly and still have the energy left over. you are feeling really good,you may not even hardly eat at this point. and your weight can easily fluctuate with all this going on. nothing can get you down. and your very happy. you may at times go with out sleep because your feeling energetic. you may also feel impulsive like buying things that you may not actually need. Bipolar can be inherited .not always but soc ail anxiety can go with it as well . you sound like a combination of all go to your doctor they will give you a questionnaire plus ask you some questions to help you determine just what is going on with you.

Answer 5

many disorders like add and bipolar have the same symptoms so sometimes children are misdiagnosed. After attending seminars for add I have learned that for most individuals diagnosed with add, there is usually depression, bipolar disorder, or learning disabilities that accompany add/adhd.

For most people, once you start taking medication for depression or bipolar, it takes a few weeks for the medicine to get into your system and start feeling better. My son takes Risperdal, which is only a mood stabilizer. He seems to do well on it. You mentioned that you were hesitant to take medication, but it would be worth it to try...Your husband and daughter deserve to know you as a whole person. You can always quit taking the medicine if it is not for you.

Answer 6

I am an adult with ADD too. You might have depression with it. That's actually pretty common. You see, it's hard for people like us to cope and fit in with people who don't understand us.

Don't be afraid of the medications. They get a lot of bad press, but you only hear the bad stuff. They do a lot of good, too. I get so much done when I'm medicated!

You need to talk to a doctor about going on any medication, and if one doesn't work for you, there are others you can try. There are also non-medicated ways to cope. I use a Palm device for organizing everything! I call it "my brain". Some people use life coaches.

Find out if there is a local chapter of the group CHADD in your area, and attend a meeting for information and support. It's not just about children. Just getting in touch with others like you will be a very empowering experience. I have an email loop of friends as my support group.

Oh yes, and please ignore anyone who says you're crazy, or that ADD doesn't exist. They don't know what they're talking about!

Answer 7

They both run in families, and often in the same families. We've got both in mine, too.

It may be bipolar. And it's a good idea to go get checked out before it interferes with your life any further.

Not everyone has to go on medication. But, if you do, it can take a little trial and error to get the right medication and the right dosage, usually no more than a few months, though. Once you and your doc get the meds figured out, though, you'll be just fine.

Good luck!

Answer 8

if u say that u have depression, i would agree with u,but its not that far and not andavnced that u ned to go to hospital. a doc wuld be great.
also, bipolar people ( with what i know) have tendency to be awake and not feel sleepy whole day.
dnt worry seek help from friends, mom,dad and u will be fine.