Bipolar 2!!!!!

[Ashes2011]

I was diagnosed with Bipolar 2 and ADHD. My Dr. wanted to put me on Abilify. My question is will Abilify help me with my mood swings caused by Bipolar 2???

[monkeyc]

Adderall and Ritalin will make moods worse without a Mood Stabiliser - they can cause mania in Bipolars (along with a slew of side effects including death in some cases.. no its not safe like the TV says)

This is the problem - doctors see a nail and use a hammer - ADHD symptoms mask bipolar in many cases and as ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed thing around besides depression thats what they treat - after all theres good old Ritalin on the script pad and the clock and the wall and Oprah and everywhere else - course  bipolar should be very careful of ANY stimulant drugs but hey the family doctor just wants the visit and the script.

A BP should not be on ANY drug without an MS if you read the literature on the illness - Anti Depressants, ADHD, Steroids, NSAIDS, herbal supplements, vitamins and even some cold and flu meds can cause hypomania and mania and it amazes me that doctors prescribe drugs to Bipolars without a mood stabiliser in place, or it would if it was not so depressingly common.

Is this doctor a psychiatrist or not?  If not see one please.

[pacernstride]

I take adderall for adhd and lexapro 10mg but nothing for my bipolar. I have xanax prescribed to me but I honestly think the adderall is making my moods worse but when im not on it I have no motivation. So its a slippery slope I think its just a matter of trying to find the right balance. Im thinking of trying the abilify..... Anyone else have any input on it (abilify)?

[monkeyc]

I always get leety of ADHD and BP combined diagnoses because the symptoms of both mesh far too easily for my like and most doctors like ADHD as a diagnosis far too much.

Is your ADHD a major issue for you?  It might be worth seeing if the abilify does actually work on both, if it does there is a chance you are not actually ADHD at all and then you should seek a second opinion on the diagnosis.

If not seek a drug which is safe for BP's - Ritalin BTW is not.

[bernie40]

I have to defer to LetaB regarding ADHD as i have no personal experience of it.  

Are you seeing a regular Dr or a psychiatrist, as this sounds quite a complicated thing to manage with getting meds right for both ADHD and Bipolar.

Is this the first medication that you've been offered?  Its not one that is used here in the UK, over here depakote and lithium are used as first line treatment for bipolar.  However it is a treatment for BP.

With your psychiatrists help you may need to try out these medications to see which suits you best.

Good luck

[LetaB]

I am also diagnosed with both ADHD and BP. I have been on Abilify which did nothing for my ADHD and only moderately affected my BP. Abilify isn't prescribed for ADHD. It's whole purpose (as far as I am aware) is to treat BP. I had a very rare side effect of blurred vision as well with it which is why I eventually went off of it. Have you tried Strattera for the ADHD because, unfortunately, most other medications that help the symptoms of ADHD are stimulants and will exaserbate the symptoms of BP.Good luck with your quest. I'm still trying to get the balance right myself.