Bipolar and ADHD

[ballpointpen]

I have been diagnosed with bipolar for 5+ years. Clear manic episodes and diagnosed by about 4 different psychs. However, I was referred to the adhd service in a neighbouring borough and after testing was found to have adhd inattentive subtype. My problem is, my adhd psych (who is separate from my normal psych) argues with me that I do not in fact have bipolar at all. She is an adhd specialist so I’m not sure she has the ability to undo the last 5+ years of my life but she says my bipolar is actually down to trauma I experienced as a child.

Can adhd and bipolar not coexist? The trauma I experienced as a child has been laid to rest but now she has me questioning my bipolar diagnosis and I loathe medication and am wondering whether to stop taking my bipolar meds if it is not truly bipolar. She tried to tread my adhd with atomoxetine which didn’t work out so well (I became very withdrawn, lack of energy, motivation, low sec drive) and she claims this is because he atomoxetine forced me to focus but on the wrong things (my childhood). I didn’t think about my childhood at all but she is insisting that she will not try another drug, only atomoxetine because I have a history of drug abuse (I have been clean now for 13 years). I refuse to take strattera again because of the negative experience so does that mean I just have to live with unmedicated adhd and bipolar which I apparently don’t even have?

My life has been full of hospital admissions, manic psychosis, suicide attempts and now I just feel like my whole life is a lie. I have no idea what to do. So sorry this is so long, I’m still trying to get it straight in my head.

Any advice?

[Kunga Dorji]

Originally Posted by ballpointpen

I have been diagnosed with bipolar for 5+ years. Clear manic episodes and diagnosed by about 4 different psychs. However, I was referred to the adhd service in a neighbouring borough and after testing was found to have adhd inattentive subtype. My problem is, my adhd psych (who is separate from my normal psych) argues with me that I do not in fact have bipolar at all. She is an adhd specialist so I’m not sure she has the ability to undo the last 5+ years of my life but she says my bipolar is actually down to trauma I experienced as a child.

Can adhd and bipolar not coexist? The trauma I experienced as a child has been laid to rest but now she has me questioning my bipolar diagnosis and I loathe medication and am wondering whether to stop taking my bipolar meds if it is not truly bipolar. She tried to tread my adhd with atomoxetine which didn’t work out so well (I became very withdrawn, lack of energy, motivation, low sec drive) and she claims this is because he atomoxetine forced me to focus but on the wrong things (my childhood). I didn’t think about my childhood at all but she is insisting that she will not try another drug, only atomoxetine because I have a history of drug abuse (I have been clean now for 13 years). I refuse to take strattera again because of the negative experience so does that mean I just have to live with unmedicated adhd and bipolar which I apparently don’t even have?

My life has been full of hospital admissions, manic psychosis, suicide attempts and now I just feel like my whole life is a lie. I have no idea what to do. So sorry this is so long, I’m still trying to get it straight in my head.

Any advice?

With a history like that it seems hard to deny bipolar. Childhood trauma is also well recognised as causing or worsening PTSD.

See link:
https://journalbipolardisorders.spri...345-015-0042-0


However plenty of us have bipolar and ADHD.
I think nobody would advocate stimulants in active mania, but outside that period they are often co prescribed.


Im on Dexamphetamine 10mg BD
and slow release lithium 1350mg at night.

Many psychiatrists control against addiction by only allowing a weeks worth at a time to b e prescribed.

I know of very few ADHD individuals who have addiction problems with stimulants./.


They can be an issue in the upswing of mania- as you push your dose to keep it all together ( which doesnt work).