I know I have Bipolar Disorder (I).  How and where do you get a diagnosis for ADHD?
464459
You would get it the same place you got the diagnosis for you BiPD. If you self diagnosed it, you should really see a professional. However, to fill in some more info, ADHD children have a higher rate of developing into someone who experiences BiPD I/II. So, even if you do have ADHD, your provider will treat you for the BiPD which can not be treated (normally) like ADHD is treated. Meaning, it will be unlikely to get any Ritalin as this could exacerbate your BiPD. Unless you are a "rapid cycler" then you could get some kind of stimulant, but likely not Ritalin. Not that you were asking for it... just wondering why you WANT an ADHD diagnosis? Like I said, even if you get the diagnosis, you will be treated for the BiPD as it is dominant.  Good luck. :-)
57053
Please see a psychologist immediately.  You may be suffering from Bi-polar disorder.
1158059
Bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) is a diagnostic category describing a class of mood disorders where the person experiences states or episodes of depression and/or mania, hypomania, and/or mixed states. Left untreated, it is a severely disabling psychiatric condition. The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar disorder (also called major depression)  is that bipolar disorder involves "energized" or "activated" mood states in addition to depressed mood states. The duration and intensity of mood states varies widely among people with the illness. Fluctuating from one mood state to another is called "cycling" or having mood swings. Mood swings cause impairment not only in one's mood, but also in one's energy level, sleep pattern, activity level, social rhythms and thinking abilities. Many people become fully disabled - for some period of time - after being diagnosed, and during this time may have great difficulty functioning.   \n\nFor more info got to:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder
216974
Unfortunately, there is no single test that diagnoses Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD).  This is because the disease itself is still relatively poorly defined.  Unlike other diseases, there is no standard physical finding that you can attribute to this disorder.  The Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) specifies a set of functional criteria that diagnoses ADD/ADHD.  There are 3 types of ADD/ADHD, predominantly hyperactive, predominantly inattentive or both.  To be functionally diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, you must have 6 or more symptoms of inattentiveness or 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity.  A battery of psychological tests that include a number of logic, quantitative, audio and problem-solving tests are usually used to come to this diagnosis. Usually, trained psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians or family doctors, and neurologists are usually qualified to make such a diagnosis.  It is important to find someone experienced with ADHD diagnosis when looking for diagnosis and treatment for ADD/ADHD.
551705
That sounds pretty weird that your doctor after only 2 visits would diagnose you with bipolar right away. It's really tricky to diagnose because it's so complex. Bipolar has a lot of similar symptoms as other disorders. The best way to really find out what's wrong with you is to tell your doctor EVERYTHING that you feel. Write stuff down between visits so you don't forget to tell her about some things that may be important. Plus, you might be feeling different when you go see her and not be able to explain how you were feeling inbetween. Communication is SOOO important because there's no other way they can tell what's wrong. As far as meds goes....you've got to be patient because different meds work for different people and the side effects are different from person to person too. It's trial and error and the same thing applies....you HAVE to tell your doctor everything that you're feeling.
419971
Yes, first get diagnosed by a physicist, if you have ADD or ADHD for sure get treatment. You will feel so much better.
420095
I was diagnosed w/ ADHD 4 years thru college lol. I found the best tool was a pocket organizer/datebook, just write everything down in it, which I had never done before. That helped a lot.
486532
If you go get medical attention they can tell what is wrong with you. But hopefully you just have a short temper. I  know someone who is bipolar and its not fun they said they wish they just had a short temper so best of luck to you. But go get some medical attention. Let me know what happens i will keep you in my thoughts.
382824
No. I'm polar.In fact, I'm bipolar. I'm sorry I can't tell you anything about it, but maybe the link below can.\n\nI hope this is helpful. Good luck.\n\nSincerely,\nTerry \n\nSource(s):\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/search/search_resul...
813858
You might find an email support group for people with bipolar/ADHD to help you feel less alone. It doesn't replace real-world friends, but I've found it to be a truly priceless form of support and understanding. There are many groups out there...just from experience I would suggest checking out yahoogroups.com ...
448274
No such thing can be determined by blood test.  There are usually questions, filling out tests, psych exams, etc. to determine such things.\n\nA diagnosis of ADHD is based on a checklist of symptoms from DSM-IV-TR.\n\nClinical Guidelines\nThe American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for children with ADHD emphasizes that a reliable diagnosis requires:\n\nThe use of explicit criteria for the diagnosis using the DSM-IV-TR. \nThe importance of obtaining information about the child’s symptoms in more than 1 setting (especially from schools). \nThe search for coexisting conditions that may make the diagnosis more difficult or complicate treatment planning. \nItem 1. is dealt with by using an ADHD-specific instrument such as the Connor's Scale. The use of methods such as questionnaires that attempt to identify other conditions as well as ADHD would not meet this requirement. Diagnosis based on a clinician's, teacher's or parent's opinion, without the use of a scale such as Conners would also be invalid.\n\nItem 2. emphasizes that the DSM-IV requires that the behaviors be present in more than one setting, normally school and home. (This is a significant change from the DSM-III criteria - see #Historical background). A diagnosis based on the a Connors Scale completed only for one setting would therefore be invalid.\n\nThe requirement that it be present in two settings is important because in the majority of cases observers in different settings do not agree on the child's behaviour. In studies that used both teachers and parents in the United States, Canada and Australia the difference has been significant. For example, one of these studies (Wolraich, 2004) found American teachers identified ADHD in 25.5% of a group of 6,171 children but parents identified it in only 7.8%
829753
I'd like remark about the comment "I have know 2 people who are bipolar, both who treat the disorder with Ritalin."  I have Bipolar and A.D.D. I take a separate med for the Bipolar (Lamictal) I LOVE IT!!  I take Medadate cd for my A.D.D. which is equivalent to Ritalin.  Not sure how the people you know with Bipolar are doing but I would think that when they go into their High Manic state they could harm themselves or someone else.  I know that until I was treated my Highs were pure RAGE so I can only imagine what could have happened if I were taking an amphetamine alone.\n\nWhat is Bipolar Disorder?\n\nThe exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown.\n\nBipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression) is a serious, lifelong medical condition. It affects more than 2 million people in the United States. \n\n It’s a medical condition. Bipolar disorder may be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, or abnormalities in brain structure. \n\nPeople with bipolar disorder can have mood swings, including depression (extreme lows) and mania (extreme highs). \n\nA period of depression or mania is called an episode. Individuals may experience episodes of depression or mania throughout life. \n\nEpisodes may be separated by long periods with few or no symptoms. To help keep bipolar disorder under control, medication is often taken even when few or no symptoms are present.
209934
I believe that ADHD is both misdiagnosed frequently and that ADHD is missed, and not diagnosed when it should be.  To diagnose ADHD properly several criteria need to be met and a comprehensive evaluation needs to occur.  Comprehensive does not mean visiting the pediatrician for a half hour, saying the kid has a bunch of these behaviors and walking out with a prescription.\n\nI believe that second opinions should be mandatory on an ADHD diagnosis.\n\nBelow I have pasted some information from a report by the University of Maryland Medical Center:\nhttp://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/how_attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_diagnosed_000030_4.htm\n\nArguments that ADHD is Overdiagnosed in Some Children:\n\nThe popularity methylphenidate (Ritalin) has encouraged some parents and teachers to pressure physicians into prescribing this standard ADHD drug for children, usually Caucasian boys, who are simply aggressive or who have poor grades. In one study of fifth graders in two different cities, 18% and 20% of Caucasian boys were being treated with medications. In one center, after careful testing, ADHD was the actual diagnosis in only 11% of children referred for ADHD and 18% had no disability. Others were simply poorer learners or had no problems at all. \n\nIn one study, children more likely to receive medication were young for their grade, indicating they may have been socially and intellectually immature, rather than behaviorally impaired. \n\nBeing poor and growing up in a single parent household contribute to emotional and behavioral problems. The significant increase in these problems has also paralleled an increase in the diagnosis of ADHD children, who may simply be responding to social and economic problems. \n\nArguments that ADHD is Underdiagnosed in Some Children:\nSome evidence suggests that many girls with ADHD may go underdiagnosed. Research indicates that girls with ADHD are often inattentive but not hyperactive or impulsive. In fact, older girls with ADHD tend to have social problems due to withdrawal and internalized emotions, showing symptoms of anxiety and depression. The inattentive subtype, in any case, may first show up in older children and adolescents. However, according to the criteria, ADHD is not diagnosed in people whose symptoms appear after age seven. \n\nPhysicians may fail to diagnose children with ADHD because they often behave normally in the quiet physician's office where there are no distractions to trigger symptoms. \n\nIn spite of the fact that there seems to be no difference in the disorder among population groups, African-American, Hispanic, and Asian children with ADHD are half as likely to be diagnosed and treated as Caucasian children. By high school, the racial disparity increases to the level that the medication rate for blacks is one-fifth of that for whites. \n\nADHD may also be underdiagnosed in adults. Some experts, in fact, believe that ADHD may be the most common chronic undiagnosed psychiatric disorder in adults.
396611
I hope that one of the links below will be what you are looking for. I am a 46 year old male who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I know how you feel and that it is good to have someone to talk to. Good luck. I wish you well!
706930
Considering a majority of people (close to 75%) are diagnosed WRONG, the medical community is now learning that environment, drug and alcohol experimenting and hormones (if you were diagnosed before 20 years of age) are triggering bipolar symptoms. Just because you have symptoms, and not 100% honest with a therapist, doctors will diagnosis bipolar.\nIf you have a family history, you can learn the behavior from that person, but not necessarily inherit the gene. The medical community is doing more research on that. \nBipolar is one of the most misdiagnosed of mental disorders, but one of the most social acceptable. What ever you do or learn, YOU are responsible for your own thoughts and actions and don't let anybody else tell you otherwise. You are not alone, you aren't the only one who may think the way you do.\nI learned that through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and a 12 step program. 20 years lost to being mentally ill and all it was (for me) it that I was an alcoholic with puberty growing up in a "not so good" environment. I am now off all medication, dealing with life on life's terms and feeling better than I had ever imagined possible. 20 years of being told never, and today I have made it reality.\nDon't waste 20 years! Get into CBT with a therapist and be 100% honest with them about your thoughts and behaviors. If you are a true bipolar or not, this therapy will make a world of difference in your life.
27662
Great answer by hidden_smiles.  The one thing I would add is that the period of mania can be exhibited as grandiosity.  Rapid speech and multiple ideas coming out at the same time.  An agitated frame of mind, extreme nervousness and paranoia.  Insomnia is a corollary having to do with the nervousness.  In some cases the grandiosity is expressed as irritability and anger.  The difficult thing is that there's no test as such for bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder.  One of the ways that bipolar disorder disorder is deduced is through a long term analysis by a counsellor, social worker or psychiatrist.  Another indicator is an adverse reaction to anti-depressant medication such as Zoloft or Celexa.  In some cases being on this medication can push somebody with bi-polar tendencies towards a state of mania.  The good news is that there are mood stabilizers that can be provided by a licensed psychiatrist if this is diagnosed.  All in all, there is a lot of help for this and a lot of information online.  Good luck to you.
650410
Honestly, I don't know for sure. The site I am showing below is the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). You can start there and see what you can find. I am bipolar myself and try to help others with mental disorders where I can. Good luck, I hope you have lots of success in your efforts.