Diagnosed bipolar but questioning ADHD

[Squigglewigglediggle]

Please be gentle as im not having the best time mentally-sorry it's long. As the title says, about a year ago I was diagnosed as bipolar type 2 after over a decade of very poor mental health and years of differentanti depressants/anti anxiety meds. I've been on medication for this and whilst I have found my "lows" to be less low I'm still struggling massively.

So much of the anxiety and depression i experience is deeply ingrained in my absolutely awful executive function/guilt at my inability to function "normally". I struggle with brain fog most days, lose and forget things all the time (weekly if not daily) and find life just seems to be getting more difficult rather than less. I am strongly suspicious of ADHD (both of nieces have been diagnosed among other reasons going back as far as my childhood).

I'm hesitant to bring it up to my psychiatrist as I know it's seen as a bit of "everyone has it" diagnosis (not meant offensively to anyone -just an opinion I have encountered). It seems to tick a lot of the same boxes as bipolar in as far as it can impact your life - I feel like bipolar treatment is managing some of the issues I was having but equally isn't helping to address most of what's wrong and I've just been told I need to "accept" this aspect of my illness/behaviour.

I've spoken to my Dr and we have adjusted and changed meds but nothing seems to help. I've done CBT, DBT and several other mental health support groups which I've found unhelpful/have had almost the opposite effect. I'm not sure if I'm hoping that an ADHD diagnosis will help get me the right treatment or if it's just me desperately hoping for something other than this.

I'm not too sure what I'm rambling about - I guess looking for advice as to how/if I should speak to my Dr about my concerns - ultimately he's the professional and I feel awkward about questioning the diagnosis given.

Anyone?

I would go back to your GP and ask for a Right To Chose referral for ADHD. You won’t be waiting as long as the NHS waiting times but the companies tend to be ones with much more robust assessments.

You could have bipolar as well or you might not have ADHD at all. At least you will know once assessed.

Thank you. I'd not heard of that referral so I will look into it. I have a monthly call or face to face meeting with my psychiatrist and have been unsure whether to speak directly to him or go to the GP for this. I think an assessment would put my mind at ease if nothing else. I just always feel so uncomfortable talking to HCP particularly suggesting a diagnosis.

You will need to be referred to be seen by someone or by a multidisciplinary team who can diagnose ADHD.

Well it is a thing that you could be. Pursue it.