Table of contentsBipolar vs. attention deficit disorderSymptomsBipolar and attention deficit disorder in childrenCoexisting conditionsTreatmentSeeing a doctor Bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder disorder (attention deficit disorder) are two distinct health conditions. They share some similar symptoms but have several key differences.attention deficit disorder is more common than bipolar disorder. As the two conditions can coexist, misdiagnosing can occur. In this article, we compare bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. Read on to learn about the symptoms of each and how they can overlap. We besides explain treatments and when to see a doctor. Bipolar vs. attention deficit disorder Bipolar disorder affects mood, piece attention deficit disorder affects behavior. Bipolar disorder is a long-run mental health condition that can cause unusual shifts between high and low moods. Bipolar symptoms occur in episodes rather than being on-going. In addition to poignant how a person thinks and feels, bipolar disorder can influence their behavior. In contrast, attention deficit disorder is a condition that affects a person's attention, activity, and impulse control. It primarily affects behavior, not mood. Symptoms are on-going rather than occurring in episodes. Symptoms Bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder can share some similar symptoms, especially in relation to frenzied episodes. If a person has bipolar disorder, frenzied episodes may cause them to feel happy and confident and to have excessive energy. During a frenzied episode, a person mightiness be: moving about a lottalking often, quickly, or loudlyinterrupting peoplebecoming distracted easilyacting impulsivelyManic episodes are not a symptom of attention deficit disorder, but a person with attention deficit disorder may experience some of the symptoms of a hypofrenzied episode. Although there may be some symptom similarities, the underlying causes of bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder are different. Manic episode symptoms happen because of a mood state, piece attention deficit disorder symptoms tend to be more consistent. Sometimes, people think that attention deficit disorder is similar with "hyperactive" or "impulsive" behaviors, and piece this may be the case for some people, this is not universally true. Some children and adults with attention deficit disorder have symptoms of inattention. These symptoms include:inattention to detailtrouble focusingdaydreamingnot hearing when people speak to themavoiding mental exertionlosing property frequentlyforacquiring to complete tasksThe symptoms of inattentive attention deficit disorder are not typical of bipolar disorder. If a person has bipolar disorder and experiences a depressive episode, it may make them feel sad, hopeless, and low in energy. They may besides withdraw socially. Depressive episodes are not a symptom of attention deficit disorder, but some people with attention deficit disorder may besides experience depression. Bipolar disorder in children: Risk factors and symptoms In this article, learn more about the risk factors for bipolar in children and the symptoms of this condition. Read now Bipolar and attention deficit disorder in children Doctors often diagnose attention deficit disorder during childhood, whereas bipolar disorder seldom occurs in children. attention deficit disorder is more common in children than adults. Around 8.4 percentage of children and 2.5 percentage of adults have attention deficit disorder. Bipolar disorder normally starts when a person is in their late teens or early-20s, but it can besides affect children. This is called early-onset bipolar disorder. A child with attention deficit disorder may behave in similar shipway to a child with bipolar disorder who is having a hypofrenzied episode. nevertheless, there are shipway to tell the conditions apart, so much as:bipolar symptoms tend to be more severe than those of attention deficit disorderattention deficit disorder behavior is on-going, piece bipolar symptoms occur during distinct episodesa child with bipolar may experience some high and low moods (depending on the type of bipolar disorder)During a frenzied episode, a child or teen with bipolar disorder may be:acting in an unnormally silly way for their agebeing short-temperedtalking quickly about galore topicssleeping less but not feeling tiredhaving trouble sleepingtaking more risksDuring a depressive episode, a child or teen with bipolar disorder may be:expressing sadness, guilt, and worthlessnesscomplaining about aches and painsoversleeping or not acquiring enough sleephaving little energyeating more or less than usuallosing interest in activities that they normally enjoytalking about self-harm or suicideIf the caregiver of a child with attention deficit disorder notices signs of bipolar disorder, they should speak to a doctor as shortly as possible. Coexisting conditions A person can have some bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. One study found that 17.6 percentage of participants who had bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder besides had adult attention deficit disorder. Other studies estimate the rate of comorbidity in adults to be much higher. Interestingly, the number of people who have some bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder is higher than researchers would expect given the prevalence of each separate condition. It is possible that this is because the conditions share similar causes, but researchers are still investigation the underlying reasons why they develop. Treatment Psychomedical care is a common treatment for bipolar disorder. Many different treatments are available for attention deficit disorder and bipolar disorder. attention deficit disorder treatments for children include behavior medical care and medication. Caregivers can help manage a child's behavior by:creating and jutting to a routinemanaging distractionslimiting choicessetting goalsattention deficit disorder treatments for adults include medication and psychomedical care (talk medical care). When doctors diagnose attention deficit disorder and bipolar disorder together, they may consider bipolar disorder to be the primary condition and treat this first. The reason for this is that bipolar disorder may cause more severe complications than attention deficit disorder. There is besides a risk that medications for attention deficit disorder could make bipolar symptoms worse. This approach besides allows the doctor to see which attention symptoms persist after a person commences treatment for bipolar and to make better decisions about how to treat those attention deficit disorder symptoms. Before treating attention deficit disorder, a person with some conditions may benefit from taking mood stabilizers. They can discuss this option with a doctor. When to see a doctor If a person recognizes the signs of attention deficit disorder or bipolar disorder in themselves or a child, they should speak to the doctor. Receiving a proper diagnosing and acquiring the right treatment is the best way to manage attention deficit disorder, bipolar disorder, or some conditions. If a person or a child has not yet received a diagnosing of one of these conditions, this does not mean that they do not besides have the other. A person can have some bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. It is alshipway a good idea to discuss any changes in symptoms with a doctor to help ensure that a person has the right diagnosing and treatment.