Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by extreme mood swings, abrupt changes in energy levels, and distorted decision making. Learn more about its symptoms and treatments here.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Mood disorders concept - silhouette of several heads of varying colors

When a Mood Disorder Looks Like ADHD — and Vice Versa

Conceptual representation of bipolar disorder vs. ADHD, wooden doll and his shadow

The Physician’s Guide for Distinguishing Bipolar Disorder and ADHD

Becca Colao, an inattentive adult, recommends these strategies for living better with ADHD: - Set a timer to get yourself going on a boring task. - Put on high-energy music to rev yourself up before a long meeting, difficult chore, or anything else that tends to let your mind wander. - Hire a friend to check in on you periodically during a big project. If you’re off task, they can nudge you back to work. - Change up the view. When you find yourself getting distracted, move to a different location — outside, or maybe a coffee shop down the block. Moving locations can “reset” your brain when you get bored.

What Bipolar Disorder Looks Like in Adults

A sad boy with ADHD sits on the stairs hiding his face

10 Myths (and Truths) About Bipolar Disorder

Popular in Bipolar Disorder

A child with symptoms of bipolar disorder swings at the park

What Bipolar Disorder Looks Like in Children

Piecing together the puzzle of bipolar and ADHD together.

Solving the ADHD-Bipolar Puzzle

Treatment for the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Book about bipolar disorder with diagnostic form next to it surrounded by different types of medication

Is It ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?

A red and blue pill with black background signifying the diagnosis of bipolar disorder

Where ADHD and Bipolar Disorder Overlap

A doctor consults with a patient about the possibility of adult ADHD.

Watch Out! Doctors Mistake Bipolar Disorder for ADHD

[Self-Test] Bipolar Disorder in Adults

Bipolar disorder and ADHD: Learn to tell the difference in this free download.

Free Expert Resource: Solving the Bipolar and ADHD Puzzle

Ask the Experts

Is it ADHD or Bipolar Disorder?

ADHD and bipolar disorder often look alike at first. Know what symptoms and behaviors t...

Bipolar Disorder

How to Distinguish RSD from Comorbidities

Forty percent of individuals with bipolar disorder also have ADHD. The conditions’ symptoms typically...

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

Q: Bipolar Meltdown? Or Rejection Sensitivity Meltdown?

If your child is prone to extreme outbursts, it’s important to understand whether the source is...

How to Treat ADHD Symptoms with ADHD Medication Like Ritalin

Bipolar Disorder

Ask the Doctor: Is It ADHD or Bipolar — or Both?

How to get an accurate diagnosis and effectiv...

Bipolar Disorder

Watch Out! Doctors Mistake Bipolar Disorder for ADHD

To doctors who are trained in mood disorders, ADHD symptoms can look like bipolar disorder. Don't let...

The different masks of bipolar disorder.

Guest Blogs

Bipolar at Five?! Not My Little Girl

I didn’t know what was wrong with my little girl until, unbelievably, the doctor said, “Sadie has...

When and How Should We Adjust Treatment?

Comorbid Q&A: Treating Mood Disorders, Anxiety, or Autism Alongside ADHD

This Q&A for ADHD clinicians is the first in a five-part series with Dr. Anthony Rostain, a...

Guest Blogs

How I Live Every Day with My Dual Diagnosis: ADHD and Bipolar 1

I struggled through life and work until I received my dual diagnosis — ADHD and bipolar — and...

Depression, fatigue, mental stress, pain, frustration, overwhelmed, too much, concept. Young depression frustrated stressful woman or girl cartoon character holding head. Fatigue psychological problems or headache bad news.

Mental Health & ADHD Comorbidities

What Is a Personality Disorder? Symptoms of Borderline, Histrionic, Narcissistic & Other PDs

Personality disorders are mental health conditions like borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, or...

Boy with ADHD having meltdown and screaming outside

Ask the Experts

How Can We Help Our Troubled Child?

"Our 11-year-old son has ADHD (and takes Adderall, Depakote, and Seroquel) and has been under...

Bipolar Disorder

“It Was The Illness Talking And Not My Loving Son.”

When a child with ADHD and bipolar disorder has said or done something hurtful, how do you keep the...

Bullying, Pointing finger, Hate, Sexism, Racism, Sad black female character hugging their knees, Aggression

ADDitude for Professionals

We Need to Talk About ADHD Stigma in BIPOC Communities

Battling stigma is nothing new in the ADHD community. In Black and other marginalized communities, it...

An illustration of the complex ADHD mind.

ADDitude for Professionals

Best of 2023: Must-Read Articles by and for ADHD Experts

This year, ADDitude’s expert contributors examined flaws in the DSM-5, prenatal risk factors of ADHD,...

ADDitude for Professionals

ADDitude’s Top 25 Reads for Professionals

For a quarter of a century, ADDitude has shared research, insights, and calls to action with our...

Bipolar Disorder

Q: Can I Take Stimulants If I Have Comorbid ADHD and Bipolar Disorder?

The use of ADHD stimulants in people with bipolar disorder carries different degrees of risk...

See More in Bipolar Disorder

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