ADHD Vs. Bipolar Children

Bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children are different; getting a correct diagnosis can be difficult since a child can't always verbalize their exact feelings.

What is ADHD?

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes a child to have trouble paying attention and focusing on completing tasks, which can then lead to problems with learning and social behavior.

What is Bipolar?

• Bipolar disorder is marked by extreme changes in mood, energy, thinking and behavior; in children, it often begins as depression.

Treatment Differences

• The treatment for ADHD is more based on behavioral therapy, with medications like Ritalin or Concerta prescribed when needed. Bipolar disorder is treated mainly with mood stabilizers like Lithium, Tegretol or Depakote and sometimes anxiety medications like Abilify or Risperdal, with therapy not being as big of a focus as the medication.

Misconceptions

• Children with ADHD do not have the elated mood, grandiose behaviors, decreased need for sleep and hyper-sexuality which are signs of manic bipolar disorder; ADHD is usually associated with difficulty in school settings.

Considerations

• For ADHD children, treatment is a team effort between the school and parents. The child needs a more structured environment, with clearer expectations and rewards for good behavior.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis for ADHD is obtained after observing behaviors in school as well as home, with feedback coming from teacher and parents; the diagnosis for bipolar is based more on overall behaviors.