Cocaine abuse, attention deficit disorder, and bipolar disorder

J Nerv Ment Dis. 1987 Jul;175(7):431-2. doi: 10.1097/00005053-198707000-00007.

Abstract

Cocaine is a potent dopamine agonist that frequently stimulates the central nervous system and is often manifested by increased psychomotor activity, impulsivity, euphoria, and rapid thoughts. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and bipolar disorder also present with physical restlessness, racing thoughts, distractibility, and mood instability. Although these three disorders rarely appear in the same individual, they are important differential diagnoses when considering any one illness with the above symptom complexes. We report two cases of cocaine abuse with ADD residual type in patients who were previously diagnosed as having atypical bipolar disorder. The adverse effects were reversed by the dopamine agonist bromocriptine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / drug therapy
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Bipolar Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use
  • Cocaine*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology

Substances

  • Dopamine Antagonists
  • Bromocriptine
  • Cocaine