Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Bipolar II and ADHD

hope20z
hope20z
I am studying psychology and I have never heard of a case where a patient has both Bipolar II and ADHD. Has anyone heard of this and can Bipolar II patients used the ADHD medication correctly and efficiently. I think that it might help me in the academic world, but I am not sure. I want to try the ADHD medication and see what that effects might be but I don't know if this has happened in the past, also if it would actually have a beneficial change for me. Any suggestions?
tommymott
tommymott
Google is your friend. Search it up.
Community Leaderacuriousfish
acuriousfish
If you have the name of the ADHD medication you can google that in conjunction with Bipolar and see what comes up.

We may have members with the dual diagnosis but I think you tend to either be diagnosed with one or the other (even though ADHD might be changed to BP2 diagnosis)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have a friend who is bp2 w/ADD and takes I think Remerol. I think it makes her a little manic though.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have ADHD and bipolar. I have used non stimulant medications to treat my ADHD and lately I have used a herbal supplement called Focus Formula. Many people have bipolar and ADHD. Matter of fact, Dr. Amen ( An ADHD specialist) believes there are more than 5 different types of ADHD and the " ring of fire" one is similar to bipolar symptoms.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Miss May, you're the first person I've seen besides myself and son's pdoc who'd heard of Dr. Amen. Son is ADD with Asperger and we love Dr Amen. He made the ADD world make sense for me.
deleted_user
deleted_user
BP1 & ADHD tho tossed the ADHD meds years ago
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have ADD and bp2. I use a stimulant which helps me focus...but I have to monitor my use VERY carefully...as it can spin me out into a manic episode.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have a very close friend who has bipolar 2 and ADD. It is quite common as a sister illness with both bipolar 1 and 2. If you take ADD medication, you're going to have to be very careful, as it is a stimulant and very likely to lead to manic episodes if not counteracted with strong mood stabilizers. Good luck.
doorknob
doorknob
what are you talking about?

I have both and lots of people on DS have both
doorknob
doorknob
I did the whole non stimulant thing

Yeah I think the non stimulants are more dangerous that the regular medications.

Adderal is my all time favorite since it has a calming effect on me. It makes me mellow and focused at the same time.
deleted_user
deleted_user
My Son has both & I was told its not uncommon for the two to go hand in hand, initially his dr. wanted him to get on the mood stablizer for a while 1st, today hes starting adderall & i guess time will tell ? Best of luck to you (:
deleted_user
deleted_user
A lot of people have both ADD and Bipolar. I don't take anything for my ADD but I have both.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have been officially Dx'd with both BP1 & ADHD by two different psyche's.
Have just begun taking Vyvanse as directed. Psyche 1 has taken me off of bipolar meds with the new rx. However, the depression has not much improved following the loss of job resulting from runaway adhd symptoms. Psyche 2 has prescribed Abilify but only after the 13th hour past the Vyvanse dose. Both psyches stated that coupling one med in the system at the same time... negates the efficacy of both.

It's only been two days on the Abilify. Check back with me in a month if you want an update.

Hope this helps just a bit.
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