Not All Attention Problems are ADHD- When NOT to Take Medication

Not all problems with attention are ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The reason it is important is because you don’t want to take stimulants if problems with attention and focus if these problems are not the result of ADHD.

Here are other problems that can cause you to have trouble focusing and concentrating.
Anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
Bipolar disorder
Stress and having too much to do

ADHD starts in childhood but can continue into adulthood. Some people may have ADHD as a child, but never take medication until they get older such as young adulthood. But with this person, they still would have had problems in childhood. It’s probably not ADHD if everything went smoothly from childhood until age 30 or 40 when your life is now more stressful. If you take stimulants to perform better, you can push your mind to do more than it can naturally do. This can result in burnout that looks like unmanageable anxiety or depression.

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Want to know more about mental health and self-improvement? On this channel I discuss topics such as bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), relationships and personal development/self-improvement. I upload weekly. If you don’t want to miss a video, click here to subscribe.

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.

https://adhdadulttreatment.com/not-all-attention-problems-are-adhd-when-not-to-take-medication/

Anxiety disorders can occur along with bipolar disorder and there is some overlap in the way anxiety and mania look that it's not always clear which it is. This is important. This is because early warning signs of depression and mania can help you to intervene before the episode escalates. You can adjust your mood stabilizer if you feel there is a manic episode coming. If it is anxiety, you won't want that.

These symptoms are similar to anxiety and mania.
Racing thoughts
Concentration problems
Mood irritability
Inability to fall asleep
Restlessness and agitation

Anxiety can be described as a feeling of fear, anxiety, or uneasiness. Although it can manifest in physical manifestations, anxiety starts with a feeling. Mania refers to hyperarousal. It is like an internal motor with the dial turned up.

In some ways, anxiety can be compared to mania. Although they have some similarities, anxiety and mania are different. Mania affects your body and makes you feel ill.

References
Perugi G, Akiskal HS, Toni C, Simonini E, Gemignani A. An examination of 63 panic and social phobic patients with comorbid bipolar disorder: A retrospective study on the temporal relationship between anxiety disorders (hypo)mania and (anxiety disorders). J Affect Disord. 2001 Dec;67(1-3): 199-206.

Keller MB. The long-term clinical course for generalized anxiety disorder. Journal Clin Psychiatry. 2002;63 Suppl 8: 11-6

You want to learn more about mental health, self-improvement and other topics? On this channel I discuss topics such as bipolar disorder, major depression, anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), relationships and personal development/self-improvement. I upload weekly. Click here to subscribe if you don't wish to miss a video.

Disclaimer: The information contained on this channel is intended for education purposes only and does not constitute specific or personal medical advice. The videos and the answers to questions/comments do not create a doctor-patient relationship. These videos may be helpful for you if you are a patient of your own doctor.