Personally Speaking is our quarterly newsletter in which we discuss mental health topics.  The purpose of our newsletter is to inform and educate the community on personal issues, concerns facing our community, methods of treatment, and developments in related fields.  It is Avenues intent to not only provide care for individuals but to promote and create a healthy environment for our families.

Teenage Romance: Puppy Love or Addicted Love Disaster?
The Many Faces of Anxiety
Looking to the Mirror to Find Themselves
ADHD vs. the Bipolar Child: Facts vs. Fiction
Self-Mutilation vs. Suicide Attempts: The Tragedy of Mood Instability
Coping with Trauma
The Power of Perception
Sharpen Your Saw this Spring

ADHD vs. the Bipolar Child: Facts vs. Fiction 

Did you know that 3-5% of all children have ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Research shows that boys outnumber girls by an approximate 4:1 ratio. In today's society, ADD and ADHD disorders are rapidly becoming a popular diagnosis for both children and adults.

Sometimes, the symptoms of ADHD and ADD will mimic Bipolar Disorder. In fact, as much as 50-70% of all children who have ADHD are at risk for developing other mental health problems, such as Conduct Disorder, Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Clinicians are not exactly sure which diagnosis leads to the other. However, having either disorder can be a painful, debilitating experience for the child unless help is received.

It is necessary to distinguish between the two diagnoses in order to treat them effectively. The basic problem of children who have ADHD is their inability to regulate and maintain behavior.

The cardinal symptoms of ADHD include, but are not limited to:

• Hyperactivity
• Distractibility
• Poor follow-through
• Poor listening skills
• Task avoidance
• Forgetfulness
• Fidgetiness
• Annoys others easily
• Name calling
• Interrupts others
• Often acts as if he or she is being driven by a motor
• Low self esteem
• Rejection from peers and adults

Although children with ADHD may not behave any different than other children when they are watching TV, playing video games, or doing anything that they have mastered, the differences emerge on tasks that require sustained effort and concentration, such as schoolwork, presentations, etc.  Children with ADHD simply have difficulty thinking before they act.

Symptoms of early onset of Bipolar Disorder include:

• Temper tantrums
• Irritability
• Oppositional
• Mood swings
• Hyperactivity
• Distractibility
• Impulsivity
• Racing thoughts
• Aggressive behavior
• Grandiose thinking
• Depressed mood
• Lethargy
• Low self esteem
• Difficulty getting out of bed
• Social anxiety

Less common symptoms of early onset Bipolar Disorder include:

• Bed wetting
• Obsessive and compulsive traits
• Poor memory
• Motor and vocal tics
• Suicidal thoughts
• Lying
• Psychosis
• Self-mutilation
• Destructiveness
• Binge eating
• Morbid thoughts
• Migraine headaches
• Hypersexuality

As one can see from comparing the symptoms of both disorders, there are some similarities which make it difficult for the parent and/or clinician to diagnose.  The main difference between the two diagnoses is that children with Bipolar Disorder have noticeable moodiness, whereas children with ADHD do not.

The cause of ADHD appears to be primarily biological or neuro-developmental in nature, whereas the cause of Bipolar Disorder indicates a strong evidence of genetic influence and family history.

Treatment for both ADHD and Bipolar Disorder includes a combination of:

• Physician involvement
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Individual and group psychotherapy

In addition, family therapy is essential to assist parents in dealing with their child's behaviors and learning how to cope with their own stress. 

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