I am 40 years old. My psychiatrist diagnosed me with ADHD over the summer. I only started seeing him in late March after a very traumatic surgery (perforated ulcer). My pdoc of 10 years is retiring. He has spoken with her as they both work in the same small clinic.

Over the summer, he diagnosed me with ADHD and put me on Adderall. I instantly was able to read books again and concentrate on TV shows, but I'd thought all the symptoms I was having were part of bipolar, either being hypomanic or mixed (pdoc says I'm mixed). And of course, I had more energy but could still sleep at night.

How do I know this is ADHD? I have a hard time believing it and tend to just think it is the combo of bipolar, panic disorder, and the pharmacy of meds I'm on. Do I have ADHD, or is my pdoc giving me Adderall off-label, to increase energy and improve concentration?

I'm just confused.