Bipolar Vs ADHD Essay

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Diagnosing Bipolar or ADHD seems to be getting awfully similar. Both disorders share many characteristics; impulsivity, inattention, hyperactivity, physical energy, behavioral and emotional liability. Which makes me believe one disorder is the root of the other, or they are the same disorder. They have substantial co- morbidity, as well in one study in pre pubertal kids, of those who clearly had bipolar disorder, 90% also had ADHD. “So clearly, at least in very young children, one will have to be looking for bipolar disorder underneath ADHD symptoms.” (Barbara Geller 2005). I believe this gives me my position of Bipolar and ADHD being the same disorder, or linked in a very strong way. Symptoms common to both Bipolar, and ADHD immediate professional help is always desirable for either of these disorders. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is generally considered to be a developmental disorder, largely neurological in nature. The disorder typically presents itself during childhood, and is characterized by a persistent pattern of…show more content…
(Christina Frank 2006) Symptoms present in both ADHD and bipolar disorder include impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, and both disorders seem to be inheritable. But there are many differences, the biggest being that bipolar disorder is primarily a mood disorder, while ADHD affects attention and behavior. For example, while irritability and aggressiveness can indicate bipolar disorder, they also can be symptoms of ADHD, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or other types of mental disorders. "One problem is that there are not many child psychiatrists in this country, so parents take their child to a pediatrician, who just isn't equipped to do a comprehensive assessment, says J. Kim Penberthy, PhD, a professor in the department of psychiatric medicine at the University of
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