Although the most noticeable symptoms are seen during the waking hours, key signs take place while the child is in bed. They can include, for bipolar disorder, horrific nightmares of “explicit gore and body mutilation” (1). As a result, the child is much more apt to try to avoid sleeping altogether. In the morning, they are likely to be very slow to adjust and inconsolable when awoken. Yet children with ADHD have mainly exhibited only a difficulty in falling asleep, caused in part by their level of hyperactivity.
To summarize these two disorders, with the exception of the ability to focus, the most severe symptoms are generally found in children with bipolar disorder. They are harder to keep under control, have more extreme mood swings, and are intentionally confrontational with any authority figure.
Bipolar disease is a chronic disorder, but can be treated with mood-stabilizing medication such as Lithium. However, without proper treatment, bipolar disorder can become more serious as the child grows, since this enables them to act out in more physical ways. Managing the levels of prescriptions as the child becomes older, though challenging, is crucial in finding an effective way to control the symptoms.
Though ADHD is also a lifetime disorder, it tends towards improvement as the child grows into adolescence and adulthood. Stimulant medications such as Ritalin can also keep temporary moments of fear and anxiety from worsening the symptoms.
For concerned parents, the first step towards recognizing their child's condition is to contact a physician. Since there is a significantly higher risk for children in families with a history of these two conditions as well as those that have other mood disorders, it is important to share this information with their doctor immediately.
References:
Popper, Dr. Charles. “Diagnosing Bipolar Vs. ADHD: Similarities.” ADHD News.
1. “ADHD Kids May Have Bipolar Disorder, Too.” WedMD 29 Oct. 2002.
2. “Treatment of Children with Mental Disorders.” National Institute of Mental
Health 24, Feb. 2004.
3. Crites, F. Russell. “Similarities and Differences: ADHD and Early Onset Bipolar Disorder.” The ADHD Information Library.
