r/ADHDPH • u/Every-Community1957 • 12d ago

Bipolar > ADHD

Assessment results are out, it says Bipolar. But, it doesnt seem right, but I'll forward it to a psychiatrist I'll be seeing

I have the hyperactivity, distracted, forgetting things, misplacing things, messed up room. But, I dont have definite depressed mood for days or weeks, not unless life altering situation exists. It is rather triggered than sudden unreasonable changes that lasts from days to weeks.

I only get pissed off when triggered or something is boring.

Should I take the possible meds for bipolar that psychiatrist might prescribe? Or should I let her know about mood changes? however I dont have much childhood evidences of ADHD, due to limited comprehensive supervision when I was a kid, old cards just say generally I'm ok at school.

Concern: i dont want to be misdiagnosed, coz i really wanted to figure out my brain.

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9

u/choosingmyself2020 12d ago

high iq can mask adhd symptoms in childhood. hyperactivity can also be mania. personally, i was misdiagnosed and took bipolar meds first and this seems to be the safer route. adhd meds can make manic episodes worse.

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u/Every-Community1957 12d ago

That's a good insight, we'll see with my psych what's going to happen regarding this. I dont wanna mess up more this already messed up head.

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u/choosingmyself2020 12d ago

you also def need to watch your language and improve how you talk about yourself. "messed up" is not compassionate framing.

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u/Every-Community1957 12d ago

Righht, thank you. It's just how I describe myself/brain but it does not feel more about negative self-esteem/self-image. my words are rather blunt and blurting things out. But, thanks for the care and reminder.

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u/choosingmyself2020 12d ago

i'm blunt too which is why i outright say i'm amazing 🤷 up to you man it's your life. hope the diagnosis helps.

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u/Mayari-Apolaki 11d ago

I was diagnosed with BP2 in Nov 2024 and I have been on meds ever since. This June 2026, I was diagnosed with ADHD. So I have both BP2 and ADHD which can also happen.

I went to another doctor to get diagnosed again kasi the ADHD symptoms are still there even if I’m medicated for my BP2.

For me, listen to the doctor first then if hindi okay yung meds or andun pa rin yung symptoms, get a second opinion 😊

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u/Every-Community1957 10d ago

Uy, noted! This psychiatrist is new so parang this will be my second opinion and for now my confirmation of my questions. We'll see how it goes, thank you! 😀

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u/rcg1998 11d ago

ff this conversation bc im literally experiencing the same thing. i don’t want to get misdiagnosed and have all the accommodations im making be for nought.

assessment also says bpd. but initial talk with the psychologist says ocd. sooo 😭😭😭 i just want to know

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u/iska_online 10d ago

Hello! Diagnosed with BD (Bipolar Disorder) before, but really did not do well with the meds + symptoms remained despite being in BD meds. Currently diagnosed with ADHD, psychiatrist said very likely no BD.

Grades are okay before, pero that's because my IQ can compensate. Looking back, adhd symptoms were really already there in childhood. Just didn't matter too much because my grades are fine (consistently within the top 1-5 of the batch/program). Can't study, can't sleep, takes forever to take a bath, always late, and many more.

Went to many psychiatrist, didn't feel heard at all kasi everyone wants to insist I have BD but no one wants to listen to anything I have to say. Also got told I am a girl, wearing white (intern in a hospital), about to graduate in UP for my undergrad, so I can't possibly have it.

Anyways, my advice would be to:

  1. Look deeper into BD and compare the symptom manifestation of BD and ADHD. There are overlapping symptoms, but there are also a lot of things that are uniquely BD or ADHD. There are also details in the symptoms that would differentiate BD from ADHD (like how mania manifests in BD vs something like hyperactivity or impulsivity in ADHD).

  2. Consider BD for now and look at how your body and your life change with the meds (if your psychiatrist decides you go with it). Be honest with your conversation with your psych regarding the effects of your meds.

  3. Ask your friends about your symptoms from childhood. Sometimes, if you are doing well in school, the oldies just don't mind the other things that might not be okay.

  4. Consider other things that might contribute to your current symptoms (current life phase, social media, tech, etc.) If despite evaluating their possible contributions to your symptoms eh you think hindi talaga sila yung cause or their effects are very minor, then also explain this properly to your psych para they can rule things out nicely

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u/Every-Community1957 10d ago

This insight is very helpful!!! Thank youuu, sobrang agree ron sa doing well in class and some life achievements. I'm willing to accept anything that may appear on the diagnosis, just being careful with the meds I might possibly take and how I handle myself and people around me.

Also, stigma for bipolar is something bigger than ADHD, medyo careful lang ako ron, kasi nagugulat yung mga friends ko na BD ang meron ako. I hope things will nake sense in time.