What is Bipolar I comorbid with ADHD

A list of symptoms and sub-symptoms

Lehtix
5 min readMar 17, 2024

This list includes symptoms and syndromes of Bipolar I disorder comorbid with ADHD and provides sub-symptoms for a comprehensive understanding.

Photo by Joshua Sortino on Unsplash

1. Depression

— Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
— Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
— Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
— Pessimism, indifference
— Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
— Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
— Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
— Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
— Unexplained aches and pains
— Decreased sexual drive
— Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

2. Hypomania

— Elevated or irritable mood
— Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
— Excessive euphoria
— Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
— Increased talkativeness, rapid speech
— Distractibility, can’t concentrate well
— Increased sexual drive
— Poor judgment, impulsiveness
— Reckless behavior (spending sprees, imprudent business decisions, erratic driving)

3. Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

— Difficulty paying attention, frequent daydreaming
— Difficulty following through on instructions and failing to finish schoolwork or chores
— Problems organizing tasks and activities
— Avoiding or disliking tasks that require sustained mental effort
— Losing things necessary for tasks or activities (school materials, pencils, books, tools)
— Easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli
— Forgetful in daily activities

4. Mania

— Extremely high energy and activity levels
— Exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
— Reduced need for sleep without feeling tired
— Hyperverbosity, rapid speech
— Racing thoughts, flight of ideas
— Agitation, increased irritability
— Lack of judgment, impulsivity
— Increased risky behavior (spending sprees, sexual indiscretions, foolish business investments)

5. Hyperfixation

— Intense focus on a specific topic, idea, or task to the exclusion of other things
— Difficulty shifting focus from the object of fixation
— Neglect of social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

6. Anxiety

— Excessive worry, feeling on edge
— Restlessness, difficulty relaxing
— Difficulty concentrating
— Muscle tension, headaches
— Sleep disturbances

7. Impulsiveness

— Acting without thinking of the consequences
— Interrupting conversations
— Impatience with waiting their turn
— Blurting out answers before questions have been completed

8. Restlessness

— Inability to sit still, constant fidgeting
— Feeling internally restless, on edge
— Difficulty engaging in activities quietly

9. Insomnia

— Difficulty falling asleep
— Difficulty staying asleep, frequent awakenings
— Waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep

10. Hypersomnia

— Excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep
— Difficulty waking up from sleep, feeling unrefreshed

11. Irritability

— Short temper, easily frustrated or annoyed
— Aggressive outbursts, overreaction to minor annoyances

12. Emotional Dysregulation

— Difficulty in controlling or regulating emotional responses
— Sudden, intense emotional outbursts or mood swings
— Feelings of emotional overwhelm
— Dissociation
— Disconnect between body and feelings
— Emptiness
— Hyperarousal
— Hypoarousal (Emotional Numbness)

13. Lack of, or Increased Motivation

— Unrealistically high ambition or confidence in personal abilities, or
— Lack of motivation or belief in one’s ability to accomplish tasks

14. Anxious Mindset

— Inability to stop worrying about various topics (overthinking)
— Ruminating on past events, future concerns, or hypothetical situations (stinking thinking)

15. Pressured Speech

— Rapid, frenzied, or loud speech
— Talking without noticeable breaks or pauses

16. Somnambulism (Sleepwalking)

— Walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep (i.e. waking up outside of the home)
— Difficulty waking up during sleepwalking episodes

17. Body Dysmorphic Disorder

— Obsessive focus on perceived flaws in physical appearance
— Repeated behaviors or acts (mirror checking, grooming) related to appearance concerns
— Inability to see a (literal) positive image of oneself

18. Manic Psychosis

— Delusions or hallucinations
— Severe detachment from reality during manic or depressive episodes

19. Fatigue

— Persistent tiredness or lack of energy not relieved by rest
— Reduced capacity for physical or mental work

21. Disorganized Thinking

— Difficulty organizing thoughts
— Scattered or racing thoughts
— Incoherent speech, jumping from one topic to another

22. Social Withdrawal

— Decreased interest in social interactions
— Avoiding social activities one used to enjoy
— Feeling disconnected from others

23. Executive Dysfunction

— Trouble with planning and executing tasks
— Difficulty with time management
— Struggles with prioritizing tasks
— Problems with working memory

24. Mood Swings

— Rapid changes in mood from high (mania) to low (depression) and vice versa
— Episodes of emotional instability
— Feelings of euphoria followed by sudden sadness or hopelessness

25. Psychomotor Agitation or Retardation

— Inability to sit still, pacing, wringing of hands (agitation)
— Slowed speech, movements, or thought processes (retardation)

26. Risk-Taking Behaviors

— Engaging in potentially harmful activities without considering the consequences
— Increased substance abuse
— Reckless driving

27. Sensory Overload

— Overwhelmed by sensory information (bright lights, loud sounds, crowded places)
— Difficulty filtering out background noise or movements
— Increased stress or anxiety in sensory-rich environments

28. Low Stress Tolerance

— Difficulty handling minor stressors
— Overreaction to situations perceived as stressful
— Increased physical symptoms under stress (headaches, stomachaches)

29. Suicidal Ideation

— Thoughts of death or suicide
— Formulating plans or considering methods for suicide
— Expressing feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

30. Distrust in Others

— Paranoid thoughts or unjustified suspicion of others’ motives
— Difficulty trusting friends, family, or healthcare professionals
— Feeling isolated or betrayed

31. Memory Problems

— Difficulty remembering appointments or obligations
— Forgetting conversations or recent events
— Misplacing items frequently

32. Exacerbated ADHD Symptoms During Mood Episodes

— Increased difficulty with attention and hyperactivity during manic or depressive phases
— Worsening of impulsivity or restlessness when mood is elevated or lowered

34. Chronic Pain

— Unexplained muscle aches or joint pain
— Increased sensitivity to physical pain
— Pain that persists despite treatment

35. Self-Harm Behaviors

— Engaging in cutting, burning, or other forms of self-injury
— Self-harm as a coping mechanism for emotional pain or dysregulation
— Concealing self-harm marks or lying about their origin

These additional symptoms and sub-symptoms provide a more comprehensive view of the complexities involved in managing Bipolar I disorder comorbid with ADHD. Each individual may experience a unique combination of these symptoms, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment approaches.

--

--

0 Followers

American Researcher of Language, Mathematics, History, and Cognitive Behaviors