By Jeff Copper, MBA, PCC, PCAC, CPCC, ACG – April 10, 2023
There are many questions and much confusion around diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder, including questions like:
- Is it possible to have both of them at the same time?
- Are these conditions easy to distinguish?
- What’s the difference between them?
- What’s the best treatment?
- Should they be treated individually?
- How effective is the treatment?
- Who can diagnose and treat these conditions?
Continue reading “The Diagnostic Confusion around ADHD and Bipolar Disorder”
Research shows that it is not uncommon for those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to also have bipolar disorder. But how do you treat both conditions together? The symptoms of each condition are quite similar to the other and may overlap. Sometimes ADHD is mistaken for bipolar disorder, and bipolar disorder for ADHD. This makes a diagnosis even more difficult for the clinician.
Little is known about the impact of ADHD on sex and intimacy. We do know that, when one person in a couple has ADHD, it affects all aspects of the relationship, how they relate to each other, one’s reaction to the other’s behavior, and much more. It can become a ping-pong reaction. It turns from being an individual issue into a couple’s issue because, when one person in the couple has ADHD, they are going to struggle more in daily life, and it can affect their sex life, as well. Having a good sexual relationship is important in helping those couples do better not only romantically, but also so that their married life gets better overall. 
Evidence suggests that, with a proper diagnosis and treatment, those with ADHD can live a very fulfilling life. But many people reject or delay seeking a diagnosis out of fear or even disinterest. Also, the love/hate label of ADHD may prevent some from getting a comprehensive evaluation. However, that attitude makes it difficult to treat something if you don’t know what to treat. 
It’s a high-wire act without a net when you talk to children, because you never know what will come out of their mouths, and particularly so with ADHD kids. Or is it that ADHD kids have such great insight? That’s the case with Lucy, a seven-year-old, who is very interesting and articulate about sharing her ADHD insights, experiences, and strategies. 
As an ADHD coach, I am asked almost daily whether ADHD stimulant medications are addictive, but the answer is vague, and I’m not so sure we have all the information. Yet, we do need to understand the pros and cons about ADHD treatment with medications.
What is hoarding? TV shows have brought hoarding into the public so that people now know about it, but what is the difference between clutter and hoarding? Is there a connection between hoarding and ADHD?
When it comes to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, or any other human characteristic, ADHD does not discriminate. In fact, it can touch all of them.