You may often wonder if you really have bipolar disorder or not. If you do, you are not alone. Many people who have been diagnosed with the disorder question if perhaps they might have another disorder instead and merely have been misdiagnosed.
There are a few other disorders that can be mistaken for bipolar, such as:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) still have the energy that children with the disorder have - that of running as if by some unforeseen motor.
When ADHD is manifested in adults, this hyperactivity can mimic the mania seen in bipolar disorder. However, in bipolar disorder, the mania will not go away "in spurts" as it will in people with ADHD, who will generally run down at the end of the day.
Manic episodes can run from days to weeks (even to months).
Major Depression
Major depression is very commonly mistaken for bipolar, as both include depression.
However, in bipolar disorder, depression is only half the equation, with mania being the other half.
With bipolar depression, the depression will usually not respond simply to the antidepressants that will usually help someone with major depression.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Borderline personality disorder is commonly mistaken for bipolar, due to the common symptoms of both disorders - specifically, the mood swings.
However, it is entirely possible to have BPD and bipolar at the same time.
If you believe that you have one of these other disorders, please seek professional help.
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