How to Treat Bipolar & ADHD

Bipolar and ADHD are two different conditions that represent different characteristics. However, it's possible for both to coexist at the same time in the same individual. If you've been diagnosed with both bipolar and ADHD, then you need to be aware that your primary goal is to stabilize each condition simultaneously based on a variety of strategies in order to manage all of your symptoms. In short, this means taking an organized approach to effectively treat bipolar and ADHD medically, physically, and psychologically.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn to recognize your triggers when it comes to anger management. Bipolar and ADHD symptoms differ in this respect in that the former typically promotes a tendency toward deliberate and prolonged violent outbursts, while the latter usually leads to short-term conflict in response to sensory stimulation, followed by regained calm. For example, your bipolar side may perceive limitations being imposed by an authoritative figure as a justification to break or destroy things in your environment, while your ADHD response is to expend energy by acting out or to simply become inattentive, which may cause you to accidentally break something. Talking yourself out of these reactions before they occur may help to improve your response mechanisms to things that annoy you.

• 2

  Pay attention to your sleep patterns. Bipolar symptoms often include difficulty staying asleep for long periods due to chronic nightmares and invading negative thoughts. ADHD, on the other hand, often leads to restlessness that may prevent you from initially falling asleep. Either way, a lack of quality core sleep prevails. Knowing how your sleep is affected is helpful in getting the appropriate medical intervention, if needed.

• 3

  Learn new coping skills by adding cognitive therapy to your program to treat bipolar and ADHD. According to researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, 51 study participants benefited from cognitive therapy as indicated by improved symptom management and social interaction with less relapse.

• 4

  Discuss all of your pharmacology options with your health care provider. Medicines commonly prescribed include mood stabilizers, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin), to address bipolar symptoms, and stimulants for ADHD. However, according to a team of researchers led by Russell E. Scheffer, M.D., amphetamine salts given as a stimulant along with a mood stabilizer is an effective way to treat bipolar and ADHD symptoms simultaneously. The results of the team's study, which were published in the Jan 25, 2005 issue of Psychiatric News, reported that 80 percent of the 40 study participants experienced a decrease in manic symptoms by 50 percent.