Differentiating ADHD from Bipolar in Children

Posted on August 25, 2006 by Melissa J

There are many similarities between these two disorders. I’d like to address their differences to give a better perspective between the two (generally speaking): • A child with ADHD is more likely to stumble accidentally into a fight, as opposed to a child with bipolar who may pick the fight, enjoying the feeling of control and feeling invincible. • Children with bipolar are more likely to exhibit danger-seeking behavior and hyperawareness of sexuality even at a very young age persisting into older years, where as a child with ADHD may not. • Continuous effects of bipolar without treatment can worsen, … Continue reading →

Schizophrenia: Diagnostic Symptoms

Posted on July 5, 2006 by Beth McHugh

Schizophrenia is a very complex disorder and affects many or all of the functions that we rely on to successfully get through each day. The condition typically includes delusions (irrational beliefs) and hallucinations (sensory experiences in the absence of actual events). Schizophrenia is also one of the disorders that include psychotic episodes. We will look at a couple of case studies of people suffering from this disorder in future blogs. Meanwhile, we will look at the symptomology of this puzzling and tragic illness. The DSM-IV-TR lists the following criteria for a positive diagnosis of schizophrenia: 1. Two or more of … Continue reading →