Living with mental health conditions can be heavy, as with each passing day, there are new challenges and revelations. Bipolar disorder and ADHD are two such conditions that can have a high impact on individual lives. Both of these conditions have a significant impact on an individual’s daily functioning and are hard to diagnose and treat.
So what happens when these two conditions coexist? This article will discuss the hardships faced by individuals living with bipolar disorder and ADHD and potential ways to overcome these conditions and thrive in life.
Bipolar disorder is identified by extreme mood swings from high levels of activity to depressive lows. Previously, this condition was known as manic-depressive illness.
There are times when people may experience a pool of thoughts, impulsivity, and a high level of energy. Sometimes, they feel shallow, depressed, and sad. The condition can disrupt the sleep cycle, daily functioning, thinking, and focus, which can have a significant impact on the overall health of a human being. They also tend to disrupt various aspects of life, from relationships to work or academic pursuits.
ADHD is a condition that is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is marked by struggling to maintain focus, organizing daily work routines, and task and time management. This condition is tough to diagnose and can have a significant impact on various aspects of life, including work-life balance, relationships, interpersonal skills, and relationships. Previously, it was said that ADHD was diagnosed in childhood, but today’s research says that ADHD can occur anytime across the lifespan.
The symptoms, experiences, and dynamics of bipolar disorder and ADHD are highly similar. Together, they can make living conditions worse. Therefore, it is important to identify how they intersect. Following are some of the key intersections:
Individuals with both conditions experience difficulties with emotional regulation. They are likely to find themselves struggling with mood swings and unable to express themselves. Mood swings come up with bipolar disorder, and impulsivity from ADHD can make the condition worse.
Individuals with both conditions experience difficulties in managing basic tasks, including planning, prioritizing, and time management. They are usually much disorganized. It is known as executive functioning disorder, where individuals display poor control over basic life skills.
Due to overlapping symptoms, it becomes complicated to diagnose and treat the condition. For example, both ADHD and bipolar disorder display restlessness, mood fluctuations, and different energy levels at different times, which complicates the diagnosis process.
Impulsivity is one of the main characteristics of ADHD. Whereas people with bipolar disorder tend to have high and low levels of energy, which sometimes triggers impulsive behavior. The impulsive combined effect of ADHD and bipolar disorder can affect their decision-making, relationship management, and interpersonal skills.
Following are some of the strategies that can help the individual sail in the sea of dual conditions:
It is recommended to see professional help before it gets worse. A professionally supervised treatment is essential to treat both conditions. It may include medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes according to individual needs.
It is recommended that you work on your lifestyle. Starting with your eating and sleeping habits, it is essential to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes healthy food, an adequate amount of sleep, physical activity, and stress-management techniques. Make sure you establish a strong support network that includes like-minded people from friends, family, communities, and health professionals.
It is recommended that you educate yourself to self-treat your condition. Psychoeducation helps individuals battling with ADHD and bipolar disorder understand their conditions, identify the risks, and develop techniques to deal with them. Psycho education includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Understanding these individuals can improve self-regulation in terms of executive functioning, emotional conditions, and overall life routines.
Living with bipolar disorder and ADHD is a challenging journey that may be marked by twists and turns, highs and lows. It is time that individuals start embracing their condition, and by identifying the unique features of both the conditions individuals can work on them and develop a path of empowerment and self-discovery.
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