The Forums › Forums › Ask The Community › How do I know if I am diagnosed correctly? Depression/ADD or Bipolar?? › Re: How do I know if I am diagnosed correctly? Depression/ADD or Bipolar??
When I first started investigating ADHD for myself, the Psychiatrist investigated Bi-Polar disorder. I thought that was a little odd and when I asked he said sometime the symptoms can be similar. So in order to get an accurate diagnosis, I had to keep a “mood log” for several months. And, unfortunately, it may take that long to to find out if you are indeed bi-polar. Some bi-polars can “rapid cycle” between states, some longer…even months.
In my case, being bi-polar was ruled out, but was prescribed Lomotragene as a mood stabilizer , Wellbutrin for depression and Concerta for ADHD. I’m a mess, a perfect storm of anxiety, depression and ADHD. But I now can tell the difference when my mood isn’t stable and take counter-measures.
Most of my adult life I was fighting depression with little success and it was only after being diagnosed with ADHD, that everything fell into place. The treatment for ADHD certainly eased my other symptoms: they still exist, having less impact than before. But as I said, I can now basically tell the difference when something is not right, and that’s half the battle. Adult ADHD has only recently become recognized as a condition. It was unheard of when I was first diagnosed with depression. Who knew?
Realize this may take time to sort out, but your doctor needs to sort out exactly what he is trying to diagnose and to prescribe the correct medication.
Hope this helps…and good luck.
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