Concurrent ADHD and bipolar disorder: A 2009 perspective

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently is present concurrently with bipolar disorder (BPD) in youth. This concurrence appears to be more common in younger children. It appears to become less common with increasing age, at least until adulthood. Psychiatric and behavioral symptoms associated with ADHD and BPD have significant overlap. However, the core symptoms of BPD are relatively independent from those of ADHD and can be used to distinguish between the two conditions. The core symptoms of each disorder also respond to different pharmacologic and behavioral strategies. This implies different underlying pathophysiology even when the conditions coexist. Although much symptomatic overlap exists between ADHD and BPD, these conditions can be reliably differentiated from each other and require independent treatments that frequently need to be sequenced.