Differential Diagnosis
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Bipolar Disorder: The sudden shift from lack of attentiveness to being super focused, remembering details, and feeling talkative after a birthday could indicate a manic or hypomanic episode, which is characteristic of bipolar disorder. The downhill progression a month later could suggest a depressive episode or a return to a baseline state.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The initial lack of attentiveness could be a symptom of ADHD, and the focused period might have been a result of a change in environment or circumstances that temporarily improved focus.
- Anxiety or Stress Reaction: The change in behavior and focus could be a reaction to stress or anxiety related to the birthday, with the individual becoming more focused and talkative as a coping mechanism, and then experiencing a decline as the stress or anxiety resolves or as the individual's coping mechanisms fail.
- Do Not Miss
- Thyroid Disorders: Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause significant changes in mood, energy, and cognitive function. Hyperthyroidism might cause increased talkativeness and focus, while hypothyroidism could lead to a decline in these areas.
- Substance-Induced Mood Disorder: The use of substances (either starting or stopping) around the time of the birthday could lead to significant changes in mood and cognitive function, mimicking the described symptoms.
- Rare diagnoses
- Frontal Lobe Syndrome: Damage or disorders affecting the frontal lobe of the brain can lead to changes in personality, mood, and cognitive function, potentially explaining the sudden changes described.
- Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Certain types of epilepsy, particularly those affecting the temporal lobe, can cause alterations in mood, personality, and cognitive function, which might fit the pattern of sudden improvement followed by decline.