ADHD or Bipolar?

There isn't an easy answer to this question. Both AD/HD and Bipolar Disorder can have symptoms of mood instability, hyperactivity, talkativeness, rapid thoughts, impulsivity and impatience, impaired judgement, and irritability.

People with Bipolar Disorder usually have a family history of people with Bipolar Disorder, while people with AD/HD generally have family histories of AD/HD. AD/HD symptoms are usually always present, while symptoms of BPD tend to increase and decrease. AD/HD tends to lifelong (symptoms by age 7), while it's rare to see BPD occurring in young children. The moods of people with AD/HD are often triggered by specific events, while those with BPD may come and go without a specific trigger.

If you live in a city or near a major medical center, you may have another option. The qEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram), a special kind of brain wave test, is up to 90% accurate in diagnosing AD/HD and can help in selecting the right medication. As it is becoming more available, it might prove useful in improving the reliability of diagnosis.

To find providers in your local area who can help with bipolar disorder and other mental health issues, check out the NIH's recommended resources for those with bipolar. For additional resources, including books on bipolar and clinical studies on bipolar, visit Bipolar Focus at moodswing.org.


Related Topics: TV May Not Raise Kids' Risk of ADHD, Study: Bipolar Kids Often More Creative

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ADHD, Natural Supplements and Nutrition

When parents are confronted with the possibility of giving their child stimulant medications, they often seek an alternative in the form of natural supplements and will ask me if I believe in successful ADHD treatments with supplements or dietary changes alone. Asking my belief in "natural" supplements is like asking my belief in penicillin or insulin. I believe in the most appropriate treatment or combination of treatments for any given condition.

Everyone should take a multivitamin with minerals, a fish oil capsule (omega-3 fatty acids), and an antioxidant such as super blue-green algae, whether they have AD/HD or not.

Nutrition, Sugar and AD/HD

Numerous studies have looked at sugar and AD/HD, and there seems to be little correlation. There does seem to be a rare child who becomes more hyperactive after eating candy or cookies. A very small percentage of children with AD/HD might have an allergy to food dyes, wheat, milk, and might become more hyperactive with sugar, but the majority of children with AD/HD do not.

Nutrition is extremely important for everyone, especially for children with AD/HD. Our brain needs adequate nutrition to function. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet is most effective for focus for most children (and adults) with AD/HD.

A cereal with sugar or a sweet roll for breakfast will trigger the release of insulin, which will decrease blood sugar and the child won't be able to focus in school, even if they are on medications for their AD/HD.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Studies are conflicting about whether omega-3 fatty acids are helpful for AD/HD. The latest study that I read found that they were beneficial. They have been found beneficial for some people suffering from depression related to bipolar disorder more than other forms of depression.

It wouldn't make sense to try omega-3 fatty acids unless you address other issues involved with AD/HD symptoms, including adequate sleep, adequate nutrition (especially a high protein, low carbohydrate breakfast), elimination of soda with caffeine or other beverages containing caffeine, regular exercise, or essentially doing things that are good for your brain and eliminating things that are bad for your brain.

Natural Supplements

So far, scientific studies of natural supplements have not found them to be effective in treating AD/HD. Most supplements are mixtures of vitamins and minerals that are lacking in a very small percentage of children with AD/HD. When they are lacking, supplements would help, only the majority of children with AD/HD aren't deficient in zinc, iron, or magnesium, etc.

Suggested Reading: The chapter on supplements in Dr. Daniel Amen's book, "Healing ADD" for additional information on nutrition and supplements, which includes recommendations for parents who do not want to use medications.

Related Topics: Be Smart about Integrative Medicine, 5 Tips to Improve Your Nutrition

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ADHD Isn't Just For Boys

ADHD is broken down into three types: the predominantly inattentive type (most girls), the hyperactive/impulsive type (with minimal problems with inattention), and the combined type (most common).

Girls with ADD are often missed because they are generally not hyperactive and disruptive, which is more common in boys. If they are bright, they often can make good grades. Sometimes a bright woman with ADHD will do well in school, do well in college, and do well in a career. However, when they get married and have three children, there are then hundreds of things that have to be attended to, and they often become overwhelmed. As life becomes more complex, with the jump from elementary to middle school and multiple classes, multiple teachers, and long term assignments, with the jump from MS to high school, from high school to college, etc, ADD has more of an impact.

Hormones play a part, too. Boys usually become less hyperactive and impulsive with the onset of puberty because of the effects of testosterone on the brain. Estrogen does something entirely different (thank heavens!), and girls might not show signs of hyperactive behavior until puberty.

ADHD symptoms tend to increase, rather than decrease, with puberty in girls. This corresponds to an increased need for treatment. As your daughter moves from elementary school to middle school to high school, they are suddenly faced with multiple classes, multiple teachers, more homework, and more long-term and difficult assignments. ADHD tends to have more of an impact.

The primary problems for girls with ADHD are not with hyperactivity and impulsivity, but inattention, distractibility, planning, organization, time management, and follow-through. Medications will only help problems with inattention and distractibility, and students need to learn and practice organization skills, time management skills, and study skills.

Recommended Reading: "Understanding Girls with AD/HD," by Nadeau, Littman, and Quinn.

Related Topics: The ADHD Child and ADHD Teen, Parenting a Child with ADHD

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Make the most of your meds

Here are some tips to minimize side effects and maximize the beneficial effects of stimulant medications:

• Medications shouldn't be taken with anything acidic, such as orange juice, grapefruit juice, or vitamin C, as they can decrease absorption.
• Take a multivitamin in the afternoon or evening, instead of the morning.
• Make sure that to eat a nutritious meal prior to taking the medication. This should help with headache and upset stomach.

If you or your child are experiencing irritability or anxiety, talk to your prescribing doctor about changing medications or lowering the dosage.

Related Topics: TV May Not Raise Kids' Risk of ADHD, ADHD Assessment

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