Therefore, people with ADHD may avoid tasks such as chores, whereas, people with PTSD may avoid certain sounds, things, places or people that remind of their painful experiences. Individuals with ADHD are easily distracted by extraneous stimuli when doing tasks that require sustained mental effort.
They have a “bidirectional” relationship, meaning each one can impact the other. Some studies found that when you have ADHD, you're four times more likely to also have PTSD. And you're twice as likely to develop ADHD when you have PTSD. Their symptoms can look the same, and they can cause similar changes in your brain.
People struggling with PTSD may experience flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety or panic attacks long after the moment of trauma has passed. This is because neural pathways in the brain have been damaged and reformed by that experience. Some of the additional symptoms of PTSD include the following: Sleeplessness.
Among children who experience trauma, intrusive thoughts or memories of trauma (e.g., feeling like it is happening all over again) may lead to confused or agitated behavior which can resemble the impulsivity of ADHD.
Criteria for Diagnosis
To receive a diagnosis of PTSD, a person must have at least one re-experiencing symptom, at least three avoidance symptoms, at least two negative alterations in mood and cognition, and at least two hyperarousal symptoms for a minimum of one month.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Most people who go through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better.
While ADHD is a completely separate condition, it still shares several symptoms with PTSD—symptoms that are easily masked by a PTSD diagnosis. Some of the shared symptoms include: Difficulty concentrating. Trouble with memory.
An ADHD diagnosis increases the risk of trauma exposure for several key reasons. Children with ADHD alone are at a heightened risk for factors that are strongly linked to trauma, including: Interpersonal and self-regulatory problems. Substance abuse.
There are also many kids who experience repeated traumatic events in their home or community who develop these symptoms, even though they don't meet all the criteria for PTSD. This is sometimes called “complex trauma,” and these kids, too, can be misdiagnosed with ADHD.
A traumatic event is time-based, while PTSD is a longer-term condition where one continues to have flashbacks and re-experiencing the traumatic event. In addition, to meet criteria for PTSD there must be a high level of ongoing distress and life impairment.
People can forget they were exposed to traumatic events because the brain does not process and store trauma memories like regular experiences. However, the trauma can remain in the subconscious mind for years without victims realizing they have PTSD.
Women with PTSD may be more likely than men with PTSD to: Be easily startled. Have more trouble feeling emotions or feel numb. Avoid things that remind them of the trauma.
Reliving aspects of what happened
vivid flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening right now) intrusive thoughts or images. nightmares. intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.
Anxiety can result in an increased heart rate, hyperventilation or panic attacks due to being yelled at. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Being subjected to constant yelling and verbal abuse can cause symptoms of PTSD.
The doctor may refer to a psychiatrist or psychologist. They will ask how long, how often and how intense the symptoms are, and what happened during the triggering event. For PTSD to be diagnosed, the symptoms need to be severe enough to interfere with someone's ability to function at work, socially or at home.
Your doctor can diagnose PTSD. Talk to them if you have symptoms or experienced a traumatic event. You must have a range of symptoms for more than a month for it to be PTSD. If your symptoms occur for less than a month, you may have acute stress disorder (ASD).
Several tools are used to assess PTSD, including the Post Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale (PDS), The PTSD Checklist (PCL), and the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS). A mental health professional can administer assessments and can create a personalized treatment plan to support your mental health goals.
Once traumatized, a person may eventually meet the criteria for ADHD, even though ADHD was not present in his or her early development. This is because PTSD rewires and affects the development of a growing brain, stunting the growth of areas that deal with emotional regulation, impulse control, and self-awareness.
Adults with ADHD may find it difficult to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten meetings or social plans. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger.
Emotional Trauma Symptoms
Not everyone responds to trauma in exactly the same way, but here are some common signs: Cognitive Changes: Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and flashbacks of the event, confusion, difficulty with memory and concentration, and mood swings.