He responds to both Ritalin and lithium. A. Don't feel badly about your confusion. Bipolar disorder and ADHD can co-exist. Alternatively, the overlap in symptoms can lead to falsely concluding that the person has one of the two diagnoses when he actually has the other.
Child psychiatrists vary in the degree of their knowledge of the differentiating features.
To mention a few, ADHD emphasizes hyperactivity, difficulty in concentrating and generally continuous difficulties. Mania or hypomania is associated with speeded thinking and speech, periods of enhanced concentration, and reduced need for sleep. As is the use with your client, medication response also aids diagnosis. A clear response to lithium or divalproex strongly suggests that bipolar disorder is present.