Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, misdiagnosis can happen because many of its symptoms overlap with those of other conditions. The symptoms of ADHD — such as difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and finding it hard to respond to instructions — can all arise from a wide variety of causes.
Studies have shown that symptoms of bipolar disorder often overlap with those of ADHD, making it hard to diagnose both of these disorders. Bipolar disorder is marked by mood swings between periods of intense emotional highs and lows.
Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.
Overall, the study found that about 20 percent – or 900,000 – of the 4.5 million children currently identified as having ADHD likely have been misdiagnosed.
Symptoms of Mood Swings in ADHD
Switching from excited one moment to sad, angry, or anxious the next. Fluctuating between having trouble paying attention and hyperfocusing on an activity. Having bursts of energy and fatigue through the day. Feeling emotions intensely and having difficulty regulating them.
The most effective way to determine whether a person has ADHD is a well-conducted interview with the individual (and, if possible, with one or two people who know that person well) by a medical or mental health clinician who is familiar with ADHD and with the other medical or psychological disorders that produce ...
ADHD is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed disorders worldwide. Although the number of children wrongly diagnosed with ADHD is unknown, there is evidence to prove the misdiagnosis.
There is no single test used to diagnose ADHD. Experts diagnose ADHD when symptoms impact a person's ability to function and they've shown some or all of the symptoms on a regular basis for more than 6 months and in more than one setting.
On the surface, ADHD and anxiety can look similar. It's not uncommon for people with anxiety to be misdiagnosed with ADHD, or vice versa. Take trouble with paying attention, for example. Both anxiety and ADHD can cause people to tune out and get caught up in their emotions — just for different reasons.
Recognizing Symptoms
Symptoms of adult ADHD may include: Difficulty listening to others, trouble responding appropriately in conversation, or focusing on side details rather than the main point of a discussion. Procrastination and difficulty planning.
Adults who have ADHD but do not know it are at much higher risk than the general population for serious problems. Mood disorders, extreme sadness, and anxiety often occur when ADHD goes undiagnosed. Even if these conditions are are treated, the underlying problem, if left untreated, leads to other problems.
Trauma and traumatic stress, according to a growing body of research, are closely associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). Trauma and adversity can alter the brain's architecture, especially in children, which may partly explain their link to the development of ADHD.
Medical conditions. Several disorders can present with cognitive, attentional, and executive functioning deficits that resemble the presentation of ADHD. These include absence seizures and other types of seizures, Lyme disease, HIV infection, and encephalopathy.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can't be diagnosed with a physical test, like a blood test or an X-ray. Instead, a health professional uses an evaluation process to diagnose ADHD.
To date, we do not have a biological test to diagnose ADHD. Instead, the diagnosis is based on clinical history and observations.
It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than 4 years. This is because younger children change very rapidly. It is also more difficult to diagnose ADHD once a child becomes a teen. Children with ADHD show signs of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity in specific ways.
Stimulants are believed to work by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter associated with motivation, pleasure, attention, and movement. For many people with ADHD, stimulant medications boost concentration and focus while reducing hyperactive and impulsive behaviors.
It is difficult to diagnose ADHD in children younger than 4 years. This is because younger children change very rapidly. It is also more difficult to diagnose ADHD once a child becomes a teenager. There is no single test for ADHD.
A child can be evaluated for ADHD beginning at age four. Some children will have an evaluation in kindergarten or first grade. Many parents wait until symptoms are causing difficulties at home and in school before seeking an evaluation. Parents should talk with their child's healthcare provider if they have concerns.
For adults with ADHD, those distractions can make staying on task a greater challenge than usual. Often someone who has ADHD can think better and stay on task longer if there is some white noise in her surroundings—maybe softly playing music, a fan in the corner, or the hum from an overhead air vent.
Some common triggers for ADHD-related anger include: frustration and impatience, such as when a person has to wait on hold or in a line. impulsive behavior, such as when a person momentarily feels anger and overreacts.
ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition.