Because many of the symptoms of ADHD overlap with those of many other conditions, misdiagnosis can occur. If ADHD is not the cause of the symptoms, they can become worse with the stimulants the doctor prescribes for treatment.
ADHD is not overdiagnosed, but it may be often misdiagnosed. Sometimes people think ADHD is overdiagnosed because diagnoses have increased over time. It could be true that some diagnosed people do not really have ADHD. There are college students who fake ADHD to get medications that help them study faster.
Harms of an ADHD diagnosis include labeling, disempowerment, lowered school expectations, the opportunity costs of medical visits (e.g., missed work for parents), and medication adverse effects, including insomnia.
Initial misdiagnosis results in a delay of appropriate treatment which in turn increases the risk of recurrence of episodes.
For a child who is misdiagnosed as having ADHD, stimulants do not bring benefits; they may actually cause a considerably long line of negative side effects. While medication may work well if prescribed for the correct disorder, it can cause many health problems and behavioral issues at school if prescribed incorrectly.
The consequences of medical misdiagnosis include additional negative medical outcomes, delayed recovery, over- or under-treatment, undue stress, additional pain, lost time seeing other healthcare providers, anxiety, and other complications. Medical misdiagnosis is often a result of medical malpractice.
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.
What can be mistaken for ADHD? ADHD symptoms may overlap with the signs of other conditions, leading to misdiagnosis. For example: Feeling distracted or having difficulty focusing can be a symptom of ADHD and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Although it is true that overdiagnosis means that some people without ADHD receive treatment, on the whole, people with ADHD are actually undertreated.
“Nobody has perfect memory… but for [people with ADHD], it's extreme. They feel like they're lost all the time,” Almagor said. He believes this is why people don't take ADHD seriously. “I think that's why some people don't respect the severity of what [a person with ADHD] can experience,” he said.
Untreated ADHD in adults can lead to mental health disorders like anxiety and depression. This is because ADHD symptoms can lead to focus, concentration, and impulsivity problems. When these problems are not managed effectively, they can lead to feelings of frustration, irritability, and low self-esteem.
About the study
The researchers found similar quality of life overall, health, happiness and peer trust. However, those with an ADHD diagnosis reported worse sense of school membership, academic self-concept, and self-efficacy, more negative social behaviours and were twice as likely to self-harm.
Bottom line: If you're doubting the accuracy of your ADHD diagnosis, you can always get a second opinion. Talk with your doctor or therapist about why you're concerned, and together you can come up with next steps to help you feel more confident about your treatment plan.
Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.
Bipolar is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed mental health issues. Somewhere between 1.4 and 6.4 percent of people worldwide are affected by bipolar disorder. However, it's hard to say which number is more accurate due to the frequency of wrongful diagnosis.
To get diagnosed with ADHD, you'll need to be evaluated by a medical professional. An accurate and well-rounded ADHD diagnosis is a complex, multi-step process including a clinical interview, a medical history review, and the completion of normed rating scales by loved ones, educators, and/or colleagues.
Reasons for Misdiagnosis
Many symptoms of autism and ADHD overlap, such as difficulty concentrating, poor social skills, frequent pacing, and repetitive behaviors. Many children with these symptoms receive an ADHD diagnosis before their doctor eventually concludes that the true cause is autism.
ADHD can be diagnosed as early as four years old. To be diagnosed between the ages of four and 16, a child must show six or more symptoms for more than six months, with most signs appearing before age 12.
An ADHD evaluation usually takes around three hours. That includes the initial visit, a follow-up, and filling out paperwork. (That doesn't include any travel time to get to the doctor's office.)
Study Finds 7.4 Million A Year In US ERs | KFF Health News.
Errors with Testing
One of the most common ways a misdiagnosis can occur is when a doctor fails to order the appropriate tests. If a doctor does not order the right tests, they may not be able to accurately diagnose a patient's condition. This can lead to serious health complications for the patient.
Be sure to inform your new physician of your previous doctor's actions. Next, you should contact a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. A misdiagnosis is considered medical malpractice, and a lawyer can help you build a strong claim for compensation.
It's normal for children to occasionally forget their homework, daydream during class, act without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner table. But inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sometimes known as attention deficit disorder or ADD.