Many adults struggle for years with symptoms that don’t seem to fit neatly into a single diagnosis. It’s not uncommon for bipolar disorder to be mistaken for anxiety or ADHD—especially in early stages or when the signs are subtle.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your diagnosis truly explains what you’re experiencing, you’re not alone. Understanding the overlap between these conditions, the questions professionals use to sort them out, and the importance of getting the right diagnosis can be an essential step toward effective treatment.
Overlapping Symptoms of Bipolar, ADHD, and Anxiety
Bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and ADHD can share many symptoms, which is one reason misdiagnosis happens.
Here are some common areas of overlap:
Racing thoughts
Bipolar mania/hypomania: Thoughts feel fast, jumpy, creative.
Anxiety: Worry-filled, often catastrophic.
ADHD: Distractible, scattered, hard to sustain focus.
Restlessness and impulsivity
Bipolar mania: Risk-taking, impulsive spending, risky behaviors.
ADHD: Chronic impulsivity, interrupting, impatience.
Anxiety: Fidgeting, muscle tension from worry.
Mood swings
Bipolar: Distinct mood episodes (depression, mania/hypomania) lasting days/weeks.
ADHD: Emotional reactivity, frustration, but without defined episodes.
Anxiety: Mood changes often tied to triggers, worry, or avoidance.
Difficulty concentrating
Bipolar: Poor focus during mood episodes.
ADHD: Persistent, lifelong difficulty with focus and organization.
Anxiety: Worry intrudes on concentration.
Because of these overlaps, many people with bipolar disorder are first diagnosed with ADHD or an anxiety disorder.
Questions Therapists and Psychiatrists Explore
When assessing for bipolar disorder versus ADHD or anxiety, mental health professionals look for specific clues in your history and symptoms:
Mood episode duration and pattern
Do mood changes last hours or days/weeks?
Are there clear “high” and “low” phases?
Impact on functioning
Have you had periods of risky behavior or impaired judgment?
Has your mood disrupted work, relationships, or finances?
Age of onset
ADHD symptoms typically begin in childhood.
Bipolar disorder often emerges in adolescence or early adulthood.
Family history
Any relatives with bipolar disorder, ADHD, or anxiety disorders?
Triggers vs. spontaneous episodes
Anxiety and ADHD symptoms often have clear, situational triggers.
Bipolar episodes may arise without clear external cause.
A skilled clinician will spend time gathering your full history, asking detailed questions, and observing patterns over time to avoid misdiagnosis.
How Accurate Diagnosis Leads to Better Treatment
Misdiagnosis can be frustrating and even harmful. For example:
Stimulant medications for ADHD can worsen manic symptoms if bipolar disorder is unrecognized.
Anxiety-focused treatments might not address underlying mood instability.
Missing the bipolar component can delay mood-stabilizing treatments that reduce episodes.
Getting the right diagnosis is key to finding treatments that truly help. For bipolar disorder, that may include mood stabilizers, psychotherapy focused on recognizing early signs of mood shifts, and lifestyle changes to support stability.
What to Do If You Suspect a Misdiagnosis
If you’re wondering whether your diagnosis is accurate, consider these steps:
Track your symptoms
Note mood changes, energy levels, sleep, triggers, and duration.
Look for patterns over days/weeks.
Share your full history
Tell your provider about all symptoms, even if they seem unrelated.
Include family history if known.
Ask your clinician directly
“Could this be bipolar disorder?”
“How can we be sure it’s ADHD or anxiety and not bipolar?”
Consider a specialist
A psychiatrist or psychologist with experience in mood disorders can provide a thorough evaluation.
Final Thoughts
Bipolar disorder can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety or ADHD because of overlapping symptoms—but they are distinct conditions that benefit from different treatments.
If you suspect your diagnosis might not fully explain your experience, you deserve a careful, thorough assessment. Accurate diagnosis is the foundation for getting the help and relief you need.
