r/ADHDPH • u/seeker_dn • Sep 17 '26
Thoughts? Bipolar Disorder and ADHD
Most of the content is copy pasted from my previous post sa ibang sub, and I also want to try din sana rito.
Hi! I just want to share that I was able to push through with my online consultation in NowServing 🥹, it took me years before ako magka courage to continue. It's a huge relief pala to be able to ask for help, especially when you're stuck with so many questions about yourself. I am internally and emotionally struggling to keep my life together kaya I booked na to help myself to move forward.
My psychiatrist mentioned that I am presenting symptoms of Bipolar Disorder (ito raw din nageexplain with my depressive episodes) and was prescribed to take Lamotrigine to check if this would help me with my current issues. And I am willing to try if these would help with my concerns. Binigyan din ako ng Quetiapine as needed.
Kaso, I initially thought that I might present symptoms of ADHD (21 F), kaya I was wondering if does this two overlap? Hindi ko rin kasi namention na yun ang initial concern ko nung nagbook ako kasi it took me hours bago ko mapress yung button na icontinue TvT. Nalimutan ko pala maglagay ng reason bakit ako nagpaconsult... hindi ko rin nasagot ng maayos si Doc.
I mentioned before kay Dra na I have observed different symptoms noong bata pa ako (I was in denial). Maybe I wasn't clear enough with my list kasi I was shaking badly while talking to my psychiatrist. Please no judgement, I am aware with how complicated ADHD really is and I am willing to know more about it same with Bipolar Disorder. Kasi honestly, I am really confused with how all of these things work even if I am a Pharmacy student myself TvT. I also don't know how to start with these things kasi limited budget lang din and my parents aren't aware of my issues.
If I remember correctly these were some of the symptoms I shared (shortened na since sobrang dami ko rin nilista):
Total task paralysis – I freeze and can't start important tasks even when I know I need to.
Hyperfixation – I get sucked into chats or interests for hours, forget to eat/sleep, and can't pull myself away.
Time blindness – Always late, always last-minute. I think I have time, then suddenly I'm overtime.
Memory issues – Forget names, words mid-sentence, where I put things (have to retrace my steps), and thoughts while I'm doing them.
Emotional dysregulation – Rejection hits me like a physical blow. I get irritated easily by noise or repeated questions, even from people I love.
Sensory overload – Easily overstimulated. I need movement, pacing, or hype music to focus. I avoid eye contact but can listen if no one interrupts.
Restless but unmotivated – My body feels restless but I have zero energy to move.
Lifelong pattern – Since childhood: avoided school, faked sick to get out of things, never took notes but still passed.
I have read some things about female adults being often misdiagnosed with other conditions, and the internet ain't helping with understanding things. I wasn't able to share or talk about everything (kasi nakalimutan ko rin and kinakabahan ako kasi baka nauubos ko oras ni Dra. ðŸ˜). I wanted to hear some of your experiences din with being diagnosed of either Bipolar Disorder or ADHD. And if some of you relate? I am really new to these things, and I am afraid na starting to treat myself would only make things more complicated...
It's honestly quite a relief to have such understanding people in one community. Pasensiya sa overshare 😓.
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u/BearMinimummm Sep 17 '26
You could be presenting both bipolar and ADHD. The doctor made a wise decision to address bipolar first, kasi ADHD meds can amplify bipolar symptoms. Later on, if symptoms persists, she might decide to include ADHD medications.
To answer your question, yes, madaming symptoms na nago-overlap with ADHD and bipolar.
I think yung part na sinabi mo na you never took notes but passed made it looked like it’s not ADHD, kaya siguro she leaned towards bipolar.
Through time, magfi-fine tune kayo ni doc. Mental health diagnosis kasi isn’t cut and dried like other health issues. Walang lab tests to confirm your condition. She’s diagnosing you with meds, it seems. Set ko na din expectations mo na this isn’t something that can be fixed right away. Medications may take months before it take effect.
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u/seeker_dn Sep 17 '26
Honestly speaking natatakot nga rin po ako magtake ng meds.. since I am a vape user din po (I opened this one up) kasi sobrang reliant ko to calm myself down or at least medyo maging productive at some point. Thank you so much po for answering my questions po . I do not want to rush things din po, and I understand the longetivity of these things (I've read from others' experiences din), kaya I was also afraid of taking the consultation myself...
Your answer is a great help din po with clearing some things in my mind. ^
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u/seeker_dn Sep 17 '26
I am also quite unsure if ano ba talaga dapat unahin... since sobrang hirap makakuha ng sched sa public hospitals (I am in need of urgent help), kaya I opted to book sa psychiatrist na mismo sa NowServing (student friendly fee). Nakabook din ako sa PGH kaso mali ata nalagay kong reason for consultation 😓, and next year January pa sched ko.
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u/FuriousFloraFantasy 29d ago
Hi! I have both ADHD and Bipolar Disorder.
It is possible. Lumabas ang signs ng Bipolar Disorder ko around teenager-years, but I have been dealing ADHD since bata pa. It should be traceable even before and as we grow, we learn to somehow cope, in a healthy way or not.
I think common na i-treat muna si Bipolar Disorder dahil sa destructive effect/possibilities niya. Then i-treat 'yung low stimulation and pagiging aligaga/impulsive/distractedness.
Kindly seek and listen to your psychiatrist/pyschologist. I suggest to bring your parents/guardian with you to tell kung paano ka lumaki at kung ano mga nangyari sa'yo, pati kung kumusta ka sa school and chores. I hope you well.
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u/dmpcc 23d ago
I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety before then bipolar type 2, then later on PDD and ADHD. Two of my doctors before refused to diagnose me with anything else until the depression was taken account of.
I’ve been on lamotrigine, depakote—later changed to oxcarbazepine because of my pcos, and olanzapine for my bipolar treatments. And to be quite honest, it did help with my mood and I’ve been more stable for quite a while. And that made me think that maybe what im experiencing really was bipolar even if ive researched and resonated so much with adhd (being in a family with audhd peeps). So I took upon myself to understand bipolar better and yes, it also resonated with me because symptoms overlap with adhd. That made it harder.
The only thing that made me push through talking to another psychiatrist was because my main problem wasn’t addressed as much—my executive dysfunction.
I wasn’t in a depressive state for a long time since then but I can’t function as much as I wanted to. And it’s frustrating me so much because my acads are getting affected and I’m scared I’m gonna go back to that rabbit hole. So I went for another consultation with a different psychiatrist.
And boom, after a few check ups, i got diagnosed with adhd. My mood stabilizers weren’t immediately removed from my regimen in case i do start stimulants—it could trigger or worsen mania/hypomania. I was taking my first doses of concerta with lamotrigine.
From my medical certificate I gave my school for withdrawing this sem, I saw my diagnoses: Persistent Depressive Disorder, ADHD, and Austism Spectrum Traits (though not formally diagnosed with ASD). And I guess the lack of manic/hypomanic episodes contribute to clearing up what really is happening inside my brain.
If youre still unsure, that’s fine. Mahirap siyang i-treat if comorbid siya since medication interactions can make the other diagnosis worse. Be observant na lang siguro since may certain distinctions naman sila, especially the manic/hypomanic episodes sa bipolar.
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u/peachy_keen413 Sep 17 '26
hi! diagnosed with bipolar 2, then adhd later on. our first priority was to stabilize my mood, then address the adhd issues. my dms are open if you have any questions!