Differences Between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in Children
Differences Between ADHD and Bipolar Disorder in ChildrenSkip to the navigationTopic OverviewBipolar disorder in children and teens and
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are similar. It is possible for a child to have both
conditions. But certain symptoms help distinguish one from the
other: Comparing symptoms of bipolar disorder and ADHD| Symptoms of bipolar
disorder | Symptoms of ADHD |
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| The child's mood and behavior problems get distinctly worse or more intense for days at a time, but then return to the child's usual behavior. | The child has difficult behaviors (such as impulsivity and hyperactivity) that are fairly consistent. | | Mood swings and strange behaviors occur
unpredictably. The child may be withdrawn or irritable one moment and extremely
happy or giddy the next. | The child's moods can change quickly but are not extreme. These changes in mood are usually in response to something. | | The child's response to external events is
prolonged and out of proportion to the event. | The child's reaction to external events is
not extreme and is resolved in a normal amount of time. | | The child shows signs of hypersexuality
(talking or thinking about sex, having sex, or using sexual language). | The child can show some signs of sexually
inappropriate behavior. But the behavior is usually not severe or the child can
be distracted from this behavior. | | Sleep disturbances and inability to sleep
occur periodically. The child often has plenty of energy despite not getting
much sleep. | Sleep disturbances and inability to sleep
are long-term (chronic). The child is usually tired when he or she does not get
enough sleep. | CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerJohn Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical ReviewerDavid A. Brent, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Current as of:
May 3, 2017 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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