If you follow news, you must know about the explosion in the number of children and teenagers being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many parents also aware of very serious mental health condition called Bipolar Disorder. These two conditions often have similar symptoms, particularly in teenagers. However, it is extremely important for a child to be properly diagnosed in order to receive an appropriate course of treatment. As a parent, you can often provide the vital information necessary for a diagnosis to be made and/or confirmed. This is especially important for many teenagers, who are likely to be less-than-forthcoming regarding their behaviors and moods.

So, what are some of the signs of ADHD and bipolar disorder? More importantly, how are they alike and how are they different? Knowing what to look for in your teenager’s everyday behavior can help your doctor or psychiatrist/psychologist make an all-important diagnosis much sooner – which means sooner, more effective treatment.

ADHD is a very commonly diagnosed (often mis- or over-diagnosed) condition in children and teenagers.

The symptoms of ADHD might include the following:

- Rapid, often impulsive, speech (for example, taking “a mile a minute” or blurting things out without much thought) - Physical restlessness (constantly moving, fidgeting or twitching; inability to sit still for extended periods of time) - Difficulty focusing or attending (jumping from one idea to the next, daydreaming or “losing” thoughts frequently) - Irritability (Being cranky or moody more often than not, usually due to getting into trouble for some of the above mentioned issues) - Oppositional or defiant behaviors (Acting out; for example, yelling, being “mouthy” or otherwise not following rules and expectations).

(Visit this page for more details regarding symptoms of ADHD in children and teenagers)

You might be reading this list and saying “Isn’t that all teenagers?” And to a certain extent, you are right. Adolescence is a time of rapid change, and it is also a time of unpredictability in a child’s life. This can definitely lead to periods of distractibility, restlessness and irritability. However, it is important to remember two key points – in order to be diagnosed with a condition, the above mentioned symptoms need to occur for a period of at least 2 weeks; they must have started before the age of 5 years; and they must be significant enough to impact the teenager’s life in a negative way (i.e. impairing everyday function).

Bipolar disorder, unlike ADHD, is a mood disorder, although it has very similar symptoms to ADHD. However, the symptoms of bipolar disorder, especially the restlessness, irritability and defiance, tend to be more severe or more intense. There are also some other telltale signs to look for when it comes to bipolar versus ADHD. For example, bipolar disorder symptoms often include:

- Severe mood changes that occur rapidly, such as being extremely happy one minute and overly sad the next. - An overall increase in your child’s energy level, almost as if he/she is the Energizer Bunny, which can lead to…. - A lack of sleep, but your child does not seem lethargic or tired - Engaging in risky or troublesome behaviors; for example, drinking, using drugs, engaging in unprotected sex or spending large amounts of money

These symptoms, which tend to mimic ADHD, are also known as the manic phase of bipolar. These are usually followed by a depressive period, in which your child may show the following symptoms:

- Low or depressed mood, which lasts for more than a few days - Lack of interest in enjoyable activities, which may manifest as skipping practices or not talking to friends - Sleep problems, such as insomnia or sleeping too much - Lack of energy, lethargic (for example, laying around or moping about) - Feelings of guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness, which may culminate in…. - Thoughts of death or suicide

One major way to tell the difference between ADHD and bipolar disorder is by comparing the “manic-type” symptoms. For example, the manic symptoms of ADHD tend to be more mild (even subtle) and last over longer periods of times (months and years). The manic symptoms of bipolar disorder tend to be more severe (or heightened) and only last a short amount of time (a few days up to a week). They are then followed by the depressive period, which lasts about the same amount of time. This type of cycle continues in true bipolar disorder (at least when it is not treated).

If you notice your child acting in the above-mentioned ways for at least 2 weeks, you may become concerned and want to call your doctor. You will want to make a list of symptoms and their duration. You’ll also want to note the severity of symptoms as well. Above all, if you notice that your child is extremely depressed, lethargic or even suicidal, don’t wait 2 weeks. Call your doctor immediately or go to your local emergency room for immediate assistance.

Author: Anna Kaminsky

Article reviewed by Dr. Tali Shenfield on Feb. 15, 2014

Image Credit: Paul Scott @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/daniellehelm/5155253218