Can People With Bipolar Disorder Take Stimulants?

Can people with bipolar disorder take stimulants to treat ADHD? This video addresses this common question, including how stimulants can affect mood stability and the careful management required to balance treatment for both conditions.

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Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[test]

The ironic thing is that the effects of untreated ADHD are especially impactful in first world societies where almost every aspect of daily life is overly complex and information intensive. "First world problem" doesn't mean "not a problem"

[Jennifer-bwku]

Psychedelics are just an exceptional mental health breakthrough. It's quite fascinating how effective they are against depression and anxiety. Saved my life.

[mrsmacca]

Thank you, Dr. Marks. My therapist retired during the pandemic and I was denied medication for more than 14 months. We lost so much income and a house ( our son) had another business close and my life is virtually unrecognizable. I appreciate your videos more than you can possibly know

[clintparsons]

Mixed episodes feel like using every emoji all at once. To me at least.
"I have no mouth and I must scream"

[nytryder]

As someone with bipolar type 2, BPD, and ADHD, methylphenidate has significantly reduced manic episodes and impulsiveness. Dextroamphetamine, opioids, and alcohol; however, have induced extreme mania and impulsive behavior in the past.

[KaamillieCat]

Thank you for touching base of the stigma about ADHD and adults and how stimulants appear to be bonus medication for people, I got off my medication due to insurance changes and I not only failed out of college. I lost my job and I also got in a car accident accident!

[mangonico]

Thank you for this video, I have both ADHD and bipolar ll and I've had this question for a very long time; I'm close to losing my job because of tardiness and forgetfulness so I'm going to talk to my doctor to taper off of the antidepressant I'm on and discuss getting on a simulant, thank you

[TheBengalDragon]

Loved this video. I am a legally blind person who was denied entry into the world of learning medicine and only got as far as a masters in biomedical sciences. I am still passionate about the world of medicine and videos like these are very interesting to me

[RockieC]

What I really dislike about bipolar disorder the docs just load u up with a mix of meds which can just make it worse..

[andyturbo]

Hi Dr. Tracey Marks, I know you know this, but I wanted to add context as I noticed something that some may have mistaken/misunderstood in the first minute due to the audio and visual aspect.

Klonopin (as branded in the US and more commonly branded as Rivotril, both by Roche) is Clonazepam which is a benzodiazepine that acts by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and is not an Anti-Depressant which some may have mistaken.

However, it is probably the only benzodiazepine that is occasionally used to assist with bipolar mania as well as its well know anti-anxiety effects.

Thanks for another wonderful episode, Dr. Marks! The time and detail that you put into your content in a way that is both understandable and educational for all regardless of their level of knowledge and understanding is perfect. - Regards Andy

[tacobella]

This video came at the perfect time. My husband was recently diagnosed with Bipolar II and has been diagnosed with ADHD since grade school. His current psychiatrist seems to be very anti stimulant use in ADHD and this decision is literally keeping him from going to college and forcing him to continue his miserable job that doesn’t require a long attention span. Obviously I want him to fulfill his dreams and the idea that not being properly medicated will keep him from doing so is extremely bleak.

[purgatorysystem]

I used to have hypomanic episodes (I am also diagnosed with ADHD, and pDID), but when I went too high on my Wellbutrin XL, I had my first full blown manic episode. Now I've more than halved that dose, changed to Wellbutrin SR, and am taking a low dose of Quetiapine each night. It sedates me, as long as I take my medication on time, I never have issues with sleeping and regulation... but if that balance is even mildly disrupted, I risk triggering mania. The fun part is this entire journey of finally being diagnosed and taking these psychiatric medicines for the first time ever in my life is that I'm a graduate student! It's been a yikes to handle it all.

[hildakenny]

Thank you for a very informative discussion Dr Marks. It's so important for all of us dealing with Depression/Bipolar disorder that we arm ourselves with as much valid information as we can. I am on a cocktail of drugs (the only way I can describe it) for the last 6 years and for the first time in my life I am feeling well (I turned 66 this year). I am a person who needs to know what drugs I am on and why. I find your videos very helpful. They add to the information I have got from my psychiatrist.

[desislater]

I was misdiagnosed with BPD, and ADHD. I was on the wrong medications, and exhibiting a less than satisfactory response to treatment. My ASD diagnosis changed my life and opened a whole new door to feeling regulated. I never related to my bpd diagnosis but I did admittedly have poor emotional control. It's important to be open with your doctor, instead of listening to others speak about your behavior and make a judgment. Things may be related that you arent thinking bout, and a doctor can evaluate all that. When I began treating Asd, OCD, and PTSD the behaviors causing suspicion of bipolar were dismissed. Life is so much easier

[yesvember]

Having both Bipolar 2 and ADHD (and PMDD, GAD, panic disorder & CPTSD + I have a chronic physical illness) is tough af. Adderall has helped me so much after finally getting diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. I don’t know how I got through school without out it (it was an intense struggle for sure) and I don’t think I’d be able to work without it. Even just keeping my house clean is difficult for me.


*Edit: I did lower my dose from 30mg to 20mg after speaking to my doctor and that helped minimize some symptoms. I think my biggest challenge is the timing of the medication (taking it early enough in the morning) and remembering to eat on it.

[Daniula]

I love the way you explain everything... So detailed and clear! You're the best! ❤

[nels]

At a similar state to Chad. I have ADHD, bipolar disorder, OCD, Binge Eating, and anxiety but was only treated as an adult. Was told to be medicated for bipolar first and then add in a stimulant. As mentioned as a possibility, an anti depressant and two mood stabilizers are used for me. I then use Vyvanse for ADHD, and Trazadone to help me sleep. I get annoyed when people think I need less medication without understanding the logistics of why i'm on as many as I am.

[gaylaygos]

Thank you so much for posting this. I have Bipolar I and I’m just now starting a non-stimulant med (Qelbree) to treat my ADHD. The timing of this video is perfect!

[selmatlemsani]

Hey Tracey ! I just love seeing your unshakable steady growth ! always on top of the lateset udates! never hesitating to try anything ! you're definetly a role model of mine

[QueMusiQ]

Bipolar and adhd. Take stimulants. I’m good. Been good.