My Friend has Bi-Polar I have ADHD Adder

I personally have ADHD. I also have narcolepsy. I was put on Adderall (adderrall) and a miracle happened within a few hours. I became extremely rational. I did not need to analyze everything. It completely took away the angst that I have had my whole life. I can focus and feel content. It does not take away my appetite, in fact it increases it. I actually can listen and pay attention to things. I feel much more RELAXED and able to handle everything better.
My problem is I have a friend who claims she has ADHD. She is on Wellbutrin and then started to take Adderall (adderrall). I noticed a complete change in her. I noticed that she was totally high and like she is on speed. I also noticed that it causes major Manic episodes. Total irrational seld centered behavior. I have seen a lot of  Bi-Polar people in my life and in fact do not generally understand them. They play push me, pull you. They are the most self centered people I have ever met. I have come to believe that adderall (adderrall) may be the worst possible thing a bi polar person could ever take
bi polar people are to unpredictable and adderall (adderrall) puts them on the high that they like but do not understand how disturbed their behavior is
is this true for most bi polars or is my observation incorrect?
please advise
thanks
mary

[Nikki2226]

Hey, that self-centered bit hurt my feelers.

[triedeverymed]

Funny you mention that. My doctor said at my next visit he's putting me on adderral because I can't focus or keep pace very well. I'm on Abilify for my bipolar but he thinks the reason SSRI's don't help and my body won;t tolerate them is because I may have ADD too.
I'm not self centered though, actually I get my happiness from working & talking to others. I think a lot of Bipolar people who are unmedicated and trying to function can be way difficult (I can be) but with the right meds the disease goes unoticed if you keep yourself in check. You have to do a lot of work-not just meds but down to the nitty gritty work. I do it everyday and I feel so much better.
Maybe that "self centered" thing is more of a cry for help or attention. What do you think?
Erin

[triedeverymed]

You know the more I think about it, your post has made a few people upset. Your friend is prbably misdiagnosed, unmedicated, and takes advantage of you because you let her. There are so many types of Bipolar, which does she have? You may want to put a little more info in, if your "friend" is even telling you the truth? How do you know she's not psychotic? They tend to have a lot of problems unmedicated. Sounds like too little info, too much judgement

[Crystlas]

Please educate yourself about bipolar disorder, so "you can understand our type"  We are people to with a chemical imbalance that is out of our control.  Unlike a normal brain, ours is not chemically balanced between Seratonin and Dopemine.  (sp?)  Anyhow, I will post some websites for you to read about mental illness.  I hate being stigmitized and folks like you, sorry no offense, are the types of people who keep that stigma alive.  Are you a racist too?  See what I mean!  Ok, here are some posts.  www.nami.org   www.bipolarhelpcenter.com   www.moodswing.org   www.survivingbipolar.com   I have done TONS of research and these are some of the best sites I have come across so I bookmarked them.  I am also a social worker, SHOCK...yep we can have top notch careers to, I am out there making a difference.  So, if you have any other questions after doing some reading, let me know.  AND as far as being self centered???  I am one of the most self-less people you will ever meet.  That is offensive.  

[Crystlas]

BTW, ADHD/ADD medication can cause mania.  It is an amphetamine, that is mania in a pill for us.  That is how they figure out that children have bipolar disorder when they do not respond to ADHD/ADD medication.  A doctor might prescribe a very very low dose of Ritlin, a friend of mine is on it and is BP with some weight issues from her meds.  She is watched very carefully.  Your friend needs to be pulled off of it.  Is she self medicating with it?  Must be, because Wellbutrin is a stimulating anti-depressent and I use it.  I know my doc would not put me on another stimulant.  BTW, why were you so judgmental towards us, on our board, when you have two disorders yourself????

[Jen813]

First of all, like Crystalas said, you have a condition yourself so I'm not too sure how you think that it's okay to judge someone else.  I'm not too sure you would be okay with someone saying that about people who are ADHD....especially when people who are bipolar have some sort of ADD or ADHD...wouldn't that put you in the same boat as the rest of us?
Secondly, if you dislike bipolar people so much, than why in the world would call this person a friend?  That doesn't make sense.  A friend is supposed to be someone you love because of who they are...not what disorder they have.  If you were truly her friend you would be there to help her through this.  If you think that being bipolar is easy than you are making a very uneducated statement.  I am certain that you would not like to feel as if you are top of the world one day and facing depression so bad you can't possibly think that it's worth living the next.  I think that maybe you need to reevaluate your relationships with other people.
Lastly, please, do not come to a bipolar board, where there are people who are desperate to gain support, help and friendships from others in their positions and say things that are mean, hurtful and just plain rude.  I think that many people on this site would agree.  It's not the right thing to do, and while your opinion is your opinion (and you are certainly entitled to it), you may want to do a little more research before you say things that are untrue.  Maybe you just ran into the wrong group of people.  I know many people who are bipolar as well and I have found that they are the most understanding, sympathetic, creative and intelligent group of people that I have ever met.  Please, think before you post.  You never know when someone might take your offensive comments just a little too far.

[Crystlas]

YEAH!!  Rock on sista!!!!!!!!!!!  :0)  

[blackheartedmind]

Well for one thing I don't appreciate being called self centered.  I know you didn't directly call me that but you made a generalization about Bipolar people being self-centered. I tend to care for other people even when I'm in my mood.  How is that being self centered.  Also I know a few people that are bipolar that would bend over backwards to help people when needed.  Well that's all I have to say.  Take care

[Crystlas]

I always worry how my moods effect others, it bothers me alot

[cowgirlnerd]

Very true about the "worrying about worrying about how moods affect others" it can be exhausting.  Checking each and every thing you do and say is not the easiest thing in the world, and certainly not self-centered.

The emotions are high on this posting because so many stigmas exist for our disorder and it's annoying to be generalized.  

It's a frustrating but interesting disorder.