There are a number of substances that can affect your moods and simulate certain aspects of bipolar disorder. If you’re taking any of the substances when visiting a psychiatrist, you should let them know about any drugs and stimulants that you are taking. Some substances that can affect your mood include:
Alcohol
Alcohol can mimic or enhance mania and leave you feeling depressed with a hangover.
Cocaine
Cocaine similarly provide a high and then a severe low.
Amphetamines
Amphetamines such as Ritalin or Adderall, commonly used to treat ADD, can cause a hypomanic state that allows for better concentration and improved memory function.
Stimulants
Caffeine tablets can cause a person to stay awake for a long time, which can result in insomnia, similar to some symptoms in bipolar disorder. Diet medications such as Fastin will increase the metabolism and simulate hypomanic symptoms.
Accutane
Accutane is a stimulant used to treat moderate to severe acne.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are used to treat the number of allergies, as well as asthma and other immunological deficiencies. These drugs will also cause mania.
Antihistamines
Cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedra can cause manic symptoms. This also applies to natural ephedra, which is now banned in much of the western world.
Most of these compounds will affect anyone’s mood, which could potentially give a false positive of bipolar disorder, especially if you are taking many of these stimulants at the same time. These stimulants can also trigger the onset of bipolar disorder, and to control one’s moods, it is best to cut as many of these stimulants out of your life as possible.