Let`s talk about Bipolar

I'd have to google for details @Shaz51 or ask my clinicians but my impression is in ADHD your motor is running on high most/all the time while bipolar has the times running very high and times running slow and is more of a mood thing, especially the depression. Some people can be psychotic too and I haven't heard of that with ADHD. Has Mr Shaz been diagnosed with both or are they choosing between them?

They believe Mr shaz has both @Dimity

S2 and S3 both have ADHD

Hey @Shaz51, how are you? 🙂

I just wanted to add a bit more to what @Dimity has shared. It’s spot on that bipolar is more of a mood thing. Specifically, it’s characterised by extreme high and low moods, which can look different for each individual. While one person with bipolar might cycle rapidly between high and low moods, another person might have long periods of moderate mood, with occasional lows or highs.

ADHD on the other hand, is neurodevelopmental and affects executive functioning (basically the ability to get things done efficiently) by impacting areas like concentration, memory and organisation. ADHD is also diverse and impacts each person differently. For example, some people with ADHD don’t experience the H (hyperactivity) at all and present as more day-dreamy than hyperactive.

How does that seem to fit with your experience of Mr Shaz’s symptoms and how you both look after his mental health @Shaz51?

I’m sure there are many forum members who can add their own opinions or experiences here too.

Thank you @Former-Member , @Dimity

Just lately Mr shaz has had restless nights and gets up about 1am or 2am and will start little jobs that have been on his mind and sometimes can't go back to bed

I am finding that I am getting very tired

Through the day he will be doing so many projects at once the long way round which hen I will have to fix or suggest something

Mr shaz saying lately if he is having a adhd morning or a bipolar morning which makes me 😃 smile

It sounds like it could be frustrating sometimes @Shaz51, I'm glad that he is making you smile 🙂

Hmm interesting @Former-Member it sounds as though the ADHD is more about how you think and approach things and the bipolar is more about mood, energy and how you feel.

@Shaz51 it sounds complicated and tiring but I don't think mr shaz flicks a switch and goes from adhd to bipolar and back again. It sounds more as though when he's energised the ADHD kicks in more and is more noticeable. I occasionally see posts on ADHD in my feed with tips and tricks for staying organised. You might be able to find them on YouTube. But hopefully he'll settle soon from this relative high especially if he can get his sleep back on track.

Thank you @Dimity , very true 👍

And he seems to be way more energised now and wanting to do so much

I Like that @Former-Member

@Shaz51 @Dimity

Happy to have a crack at answering this. I have been diagnosed with both ADHD and Bipolar II, and my psychiatrist (who happens to be a world renowned expert in ADHD) tells me that the two disorders are 10% co-morbid.

ADHD can present in lots of different ways, and it’s not always hyperactive - I can be distractibility, trouble concentrating and yes a bit restless. Both conditions involve impulsivity, irritability, hyperactivity, emotional dysregulation, sleep problems, a racing brain, and problems with maintaining attention.

Bipolar episodes are more clearly marked by elevated mood states or hypo-manias in my case. It’s a more persistent state of mind. I tend to lose the flavour for life, my sleep patterns permanently change (I’m awake most of the night and don’t need sleep, or I’ll sleep 18 hours a day), I’ll become more goal oriented and start working 10-12 hours a day and don’t feel that I can stop or I will lose momentum.

Low energy is another give away, as my kind of ADHD does have me functioning with quiet a high motor.

Sever changes in my mood, from all systems firing to crashing and can barely leave the house. Self destructive behaviour, and delusional thoughts (last episode I hated everyone, couldn’t trust anyone, became paranoid and believed everyone was working against me).

These more severe changes in my mood are what gave away the bipolar diagnosis. Also, I reacted poorly to the ADHD medication and SSRI antidepressants, which cause a rapid cycling of my mood states, and a mixed episode which was basically a “depressed mania”, which was awful.

If you have extra questions, I’m very happy to answer them 🙂 and hope this helps!

New Guardian article about being bipolar

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jun/19/nobody-ive-ever-been-locked-up-with-in-a-psychiatric-hospital-felt-proud-of-their-illnesses?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

I agree there's a risk of pathologising understandable reactions to life's harder moments - which deserve support and sympathy but shouldn't be conflated with severe illness. And as the writer says, severe illness is something we deal with (but sometimes mitigate if we're lucky) for a lifetime.

Hi Everyone

Im in a strange place on the bipolar front. Have been feeling really good and highly energised for a good while now.

Taking the big cocktail gets me down sometimes though - I find it hard to stick to my routine whenever my movements even slightly change. Often forget my morning doses.

The memories of the horrors are still in my mind, but I often wonder whether I really am bipolar at all. And yet I find connecting with this cohort wonderful and I can really align with the dialogue. But is this all just because I’ve been caught up in the ongoing nightmare of misdiagnosis? Does anyone else feel this way?