About 2.6 percent of adults have bipolar disorder and 4.1 percent of adults have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, in the United States, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Both psychological disorders can impair patients' ability to function. The different treatments available can help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD.
Types
Several types of bipolar disorder and ADHD exist, which will affect the treatment used. The National Institute of Mental Health notes four types of bipolar disorder: type I, type II, cyclothymia and not otherwise specified. Patients with bipolar disorder type I have manic symptoms, such as euphoria and racing thoughts, with periods of major depression. Bipolar disorder type II includes major depression symptoms with hypomanic symptoms, which are less severe than manic symptoms. Patients with cyclothymia have hypomania and mild depression. With bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, or bipolar disorder NOS, patients have symptoms that do not fit the criteria for the other types of the disorder.
MedlinePlus explains that ADHD manifests in three ways: inattentive type, hyperactive-impulsive type and combined type. When a patient has inattentive type ADHD, she has six or more symptoms of inattention, such as making careless mistakes and having problems sustaining attention. Diagnostic criteria for the hyperactive-impulsive type include six or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, such as problems staying still and interrupting other people. Patients with the combined type of ADHD have six or more inattentive symptoms and six or more hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.
Medications
Several medications can treat ADHD and bipolar disorder. Patients with ADHD may take a stimulant medication, such as dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, or a nonstimulant, such as atomoxetine. These medications reduce the behavioral and attentional problems. If the patient also has a mood disorder or does not respond to either a stimulant or nonstimulant, he may take an antidepressant, such as buproprion. The Mayo Clinic explains that a high blood pressure medication, for example guanfacine, might help with aggression or insomnia and tics caused by other medications.
With bipolar disorder, mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproic acid and lamotrigine, or antipsychotics, including olanzapine, treat the manic and depressive symptoms. If patient has anxiety, he might take a benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam. Sometimes, a psychiatrist prescribes an antidepressant combined with a mood stabilizer for a bipolar disorder type II patient.
Warning
The medications for bipolar disorder and ADHD do come with some warnings. For example, the National Institute of Mental Health notes that antidepressants alone may trigger mania in bipolar disorder patients. In younger users, antidepressants could cause suicidal thoughts. Lithium can cause low thyroid levels, and valproic acid may lead to polycystic ovary syndrome in female users. The Mayo Clinic adds that stimulants sometimes cause heart problems. Nonstimulant medication also can cause problems, such as liver complications and increasing suicidal thoughts.
Therapies
Different types of therapies might improve the symptoms of ADHD and bipolar disorder. For example, some ADHD patients benefit from social skills training and behavior therapy, which teaches them how to control their impulsive behaviors. Psychotherapy helps some patients work through issues brought on by the disorder. Families of ADHD and bipolar disorder patients could benefit from family therapy. The Mayo Clinic explains that parenting skills training teaches the parents of ADHD patients how to effectively manage their children's symptoms. Bipolar disorder patients sometimes get help through cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy.
Prognosis
Bipolar disorder patients may benefit from continuous, long-term treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Relapse is possible, especially if a patient has another mental health disorder. MedlinePlus adds that ADHD is a long-term condition, with about 50 percent of children with ADHD continuing to have symptoms into adulthood; however, adult patients are better able to manage their symptoms.
