Adderall and Bipolar Disorder

Understanding the Relationship Between Adderall and Bipolar Disorder

Adderall and bipolar disorder share a complicated relationship, and navigating that relationship can be a big challenge on your road to mental wellness. Adderall, prescribed or not, offers temporary relief from the grips of a depressive episode. On the flip side, it can trigger mania. It can also kick things up a notch, intensifying manic episodes and making them even more dangerous.

With so many intricacies, finding the right balance of meds when you are grappling with bipolar disorder and ADHD can feel impossible. Rest assured, it is not. Even the most complicated co-occurring disorders can be treated with the right help.

When you’re facing the complexities of Adderall, bipolar disorder, or their combined impact, the dedicated team at South Shores Recovery stands ready to provide support. Together, we’ll find your path to healing and a better life.

Can People With Bipolar Disorder Take Adderall?

Adderall is not the only choice, but it is one of the most well-known stimulants for ADHD. It may or may not be prescribed depending on what type of bipolar disorder that you are dealing with. Bipolar I, for example, has severe mania that Adderall makes worse. It intensifies symptoms like mania and hallucinations. People dealing with severe depression, more commonly seen in Bipolar II clients, may be recommended Adderall off-label to help pull them out of severe depression.

With either type of bipolar disorder diagnosis, you may need your meds adjusted during different mood cycles. There’s also a risk of developing tolerance, so the effectiveness of medication is reduced over time.

You can take an active role in the long-term management of bipolar disorder through self-awareness. Take notice when your mood starts to shift. It can be helpful to write down symptoms you notice or do regular mood check-ins using a journal. Becoming more in-tune with yourself helps you recognize when something feels “off”.

As you become more in-tune with yourself, you’ll recognize the little signs that tell you a mood shift is coming. You can reach out to your doctor sooner. And, if they become severe, don’t be afraid to reach out for immediate help. At South Shores, we work hard to help our clients find the perfect balance to manage symptoms, even alongside comorbid disorders.

How Common Is Co-Occurring ADHD and Bipolar?

Approximately 20% of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder also have comorbid ADHD. It’s often overlooked because ADHD symptoms like racing thoughts, problems concentrating, and feeling impulsive mimic a manic episode. When these symptoms occur on top of typical mood swings, it can also worsen mania. This highlights how important it is to find support for both conditions.

Other Options to Treat Bipolar Disorder and ADHD

Stimulants are considered the “go-to” for the symptoms of ADHD. They increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which help with things like impulsivity and lack of focus.

Unfortunately, stimulants aren’t always the best choice if you have bipolar disorder. Outside of the possibility of making manic episodes worse, people with bipolar are more likely to struggle with addiction than the average person.

There are non-stimulant medications (like Strattera) that might be recommended if you are struggling with bipolar disorder and ADHD. Another possibility is using a combination of medications, including antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, to help treat both conditions.

Recognizing the Difference Between Bipolar Symptoms and Adderall Side Effects

When a doctor recommends Adderall to treat ADHD, it’s important to watch out for certain red flag symptoms like intense mood swings, racing thoughts, irritability, and insomnia. These symptoms mimic manic episodes, but they are also a sign that your Adderall might be working a little too well.

In either case, it’s important to talk to your doctor. If manic mood symptoms are severe, seek immediate medical attention.

Can Adderall Trigger Manic Symptoms?

Yes, there is a risk of Adderall triggering a manic episode. It can increase energy on its own, which is helpful when in a depression. As you start to come out of that depressive episode, however, you stop feeling energized and start feeling panicked. Adderall can push you over the edge, fast.

This is one of the reasons that Adderall may not be recommended for treatment if you have rapid-cycling bipolar. Mood episodes switch so quickly that it becomes difficult to keep up with medication balancing.

Adderall for Self-Medication of Bipolar

The depressive symptoms that come along with “down” periods of bipolar disorder are exhausting to live with. It might seem easy to reach for a quick fix from stimulants like Adderall. Even though mania comes with its own risks and side effects, you may feel that at least with stimulants, you can shake off some of the hopelessness and helplessness you are feeling.

The cycle created by using stimulants to “perk up” your mood can be vicious. An inevitable crash always follows the surge of dopamine after stimulant use. You’ll likely feel more depressed than you were before using stimulants. This is why you should always take them as recommended and reach out to your psychiatrist if you feel your medication isn’t helping. 

Adderall and Untreated ADHD

Untreated ADHD comes with its own risks. It can be hard to do the things you need to, whether holding a job or taking your bipolar medicine every day. When ADHD goes undiagnosed, these symptoms may be written off as part of your bipolar disorder.

Rather than seeking out stimulants yourself, choose a treatment center like South Shores. Every client begins their services here with a thorough evaluation, ensuring no stone goes unturned in our mission to provide you with a path to total healing.

How Do I Know If I’m Addicted to Adderall?

Sometimes, the line between addiction and dependence gets blurred. When you’re prescribed stimulants, it’s very possible to feel like you are addicted. After all, you may rely on them to help you focus and function. But where is the line between medical help and chemical dependence?

Taking stimulants like Adderall enters the realm of addiction when they aren’t being taken as prescribed. If you run out of your prescription from taking too much or find yourself using it to escape emotional pain, talk to your prescribing doctor. There might be other options for people who are prescribed Adderall, but are worried about addiction.

Bipolar Disorder and Dual Diagnosis

Deciding how to treat bipolar disorder isn’t always as simple as prescribing mood stabilizers. It’s a complicated disorder, and no two people’s mood cycles are exactly the same. Treatment becomes even more complicated when bipolar disorder occurs alongside ADHD or substance use disorder.

The South Shores Treatment Approach

At South Shores, you won’t feel like we are using a cookie-cutter approach to treatment. Your healing journey begins with a thorough assessment, helping our clinicians get a sense of what exactly you need to start your healing journey.

We don’t rely solely on medication like mood stabilizers, stimulants, and antidepressants. You’ll be encouraged to participate in individual and group therapy. One-on-one sessions can be especially helpful for learning awareness of your moods and how they affect you.

You’ll also learn to recognize when you are in a severe manic or depressive episode, so that you can reach out to your doctor for help.

Through holistic therapies, you’ll develop skills outside of medication that can help manage mood swings. You’ll also learn more about sleep, proper nutrition, and self-care, all of which can influence your moods.

Find Support for Living with Bipolar Disorder at South Shores

Living with bipolar disorder is hard on its own, but coupled with ADHD or addiction, it can be overwhelming. While Adderall is a viable treatment option for some, others with bipolar disorder may find that it makes manic episodes worse. This makes the individualized approach you’ll find at South Shores Recovery incredibly important.

Most importantly, know that you are not alone. There is a path to a better, more manageable life, and you’ll find it here. Call South Shores confidentially to discuss treatment options today.

References

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8151516/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2094705/