Question:
was diagnosed a year or so ago by one pdoc to have ADD/ADHD and was on
Adderall (a stimulant) then just recently another pdoc diagnosed me with
Cyclothyic disorder (some call it bipolar lite). My current pdoc is trying
to treat the cyclothymic disorder first and is afraid of giving me any ADD
meds because they have caused incredible mood swings in the past. He thinks
that I still have ADD but that it is not as bad as he thought. He seems to
think that the mood disorder is multiplying the effects of the ADD and if
the mood disorder was under control the ADD wouldn't be so bad. As far as 'mania', I am not sure if I have had it. This is all still really
new to me and I can't remember what the description is.
Answer:
can understand why your pdoc suspects bipolar - ADs are not supposed
to make you feel spacey and jittery, unless you happen to be bipolar.
That's how they made me feel, too, and I am diagnosed as bipolar. ADs
made me race, pace and feel agitated. Like I had quit smoking. In my
particular case, I just went up and up. When I dumped the ADs (flushed
them) the mood kept going up on its own.
You don't need to go all-out manic to be bipolar. In fact, the majority
of bipolars do not go all-out manic. They have bipolar II - meaning
mostly depression with some brief, mild mania - known as hypomania.
Something like 80% of all bipolars have this "flavor." Most don't seek
treatment for the hypomania - it is seen as blessed relief from
unrelenting depression.
Am still learning about ADHD. What I have learned is that it is very,
very common to have ADHD along with something else - and bipolar is one
of them. I do not hear many folks over there saying they feel
"energized" on stimulants. More focused, yes, but not energized. But it
would be worthwhile for you to go on over to theirwebsites and hang out for
awhile.
I started seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist this year mostly due to
depression and fatigue. I was on anti-depressants for several months, but
hated the side effects - felt really spacey and jittery. I was on Selexa
and Wellbutrin. I've been off all meds for over 6 months now. Anyway, I've
been reading websites for a while now to learn more about bi-polar -
my therapist strongly suspects thats what I have. However, I have never had
any mania - I'm more often really tired. My 9 year old has been diagnosed
with ADD and taking Ritalin for 1 year now - his whole life has changed
around - better attitude, more self esteem and confidence, and he's getting
A's and B's in school now. After reading material all year on ADD, I really
identity with those symptoms, however I know a lot of the symptoms are
similar to bi-polar. I've tested the ritalin, and feel much more focused
and energized when taking it.
