Adderall and bipolar disorder

[nitad01]

My daughter who is 31 was diagnosed with bipolar disorder last year. She had been on Adderall (adderrall) for ADHD, went into a hypermanic event and was involuntarily committed for treatment. After her release she went back to her original Psychiatrist who again prescribed Adderall (adderrall) for her. Is Adderall (adderrall) ever used for bipoplar disorder. Everything I have read says no. How can I convince her Dr. to not prescribe it anymore? Please help us.

[azalea82]

Is your daughter taking a mood stabilizer such as Lithium or Lamictal?  

There is controversy about whether stimulant medications like Adderall (adderrall) are okay for people with bipolar.  Mood stabilizers are certainly the standard treatment.  

ADHD symptoms can be mistaken for bipolar symptoms.  Optimizing bipolar disorder treatment should be the priority IMHO.  

[LetaB]

  I currently take Adderall (adderrall) for ADD even though I am also bipolar - one condition does not rule out that you have the other. I am not one to exhibit significant mania and am usuall in a very low depression. Adderall (adderrall) does for me what a large cup of strong coffee would do. I am more productive, active, and positive. When it wears off at night I is when I feel more unabalanced. Since your daughter was seen for mania as aposed to depression I'm very surprised that her psychiatrist would continue prescribing Adderall (adderrall). Have you noticed her behavior when she's on it being different than off? And surely her doctor has her on mood disorder drugs since being hospitalized. Right?

[iluvpittbulls]

i am bipolar and adhd(mild to moderate)  I am also on a mood stabilizer (lamictal).  The adderall (adderrall) actually helps me with my motivation, energy and focus.  I do think, however, that since adderall (adderrall) is a stimulant, it would make someone who is experiencing a manic episode, more manic, if they were not on a mood stabilizer.  It seems that maybe her doctor thought she had ADHD, so he gave her adderall (adderrall).  It also seems odd to me that after she was hospitalized, or even the fact that she became worse, her doctor has not reevaluated her situation.  Perhaps you may want to think about getting another doctor' look at her.  I would be skeptical of a doctor who continues to prescribe a person adderall (adderrall) when the patient is getting worse.....something is amiss.  The adderall (adderrall) I take along with my mood stabilizer, lamictal, works fine for me.  I need it.  I hope this helps.

iluvpittbulls