What conditions are similar to ADHD?

Other medical conditions.
  • Learning disabilities . ...
  • Conduct disorder .
  • Oppositional defiant disorder .
  • Depression .
  • Anxiety disorders .
  • Tourette's disorder .
  • Developmental disorders , such as intellectual disability .
  • A lifelong childhood medical condition with bothersome symptoms, such as asthma .


What other conditions can mimic ADHD?

5 common problems that can mimic ADHD
  • Hearing problems. If you can't hear well, it's hard to pay attention — and easy to get distracted. ...
  • Learning or cognitive disabilities. ...
  • Sleep problems. ...
  • Depression or anxiety. ...
  • Substance abuse.


What is ADHD most commonly misdiagnosed as?

What can ADHD be mistaken for?
  • Anxiety disorders.
  • Depression.
  • Stress response.
  • Sleep disorders or poor sleep hygiene.
  • Substance use.
  • Learning disabilities, such as dyslexia.
  • Hearing problems.
  • Autism spectrum disorder.


What diagnosis mimics ADHD?

Conditions that mimic ADHD symptoms may include...
  • Asperger's Syndrome.
  • Attachment Disorders/Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Biochemical imbalances.
  • Borderline Personality Disorder.
  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
  • Dyslexia.
  • Executive Function Difficulties.


What mental illness can be misdiagnosed as ADHD?

Bipolar disorder.

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.


Recognizing ADHD in Adults | Heather Brannon | TEDxHeritageGreen



Can you get a false ADHD diagnosis?

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.

What mental disorders overlap with ADHD?

Patients with ADHD frequently have co-occurring psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, drug or alcohol abuse, autism spectrum disorders, sleep disorders, learning disabilities, and antisocial, oppositional defiant, conduct, and/or personality disorders.

How do I know if its ADHD or something else?

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.


What is masking ADHD?

If you hide your adult ADHD symptoms from other people, that's called masking. Basically, you're trying to seem more “normal” or “regular.” ADHD causes some people to act hyperactive or impulsive. It makes other folks have trouble paying attention. And still other adults have a combination of those symptoms.

How do I know I have ADHD and not something else?

  • You're often late. Time management is an ongoing challenge when you have ADHD. ...
  • You have trouble concentrating. ...
  • You leave things undone. ...
  • You had behavior issues as a child. ...
  • You lack impulse control. ...
  • You can't get organized. ...
  • You're fidgety. ...
  • You can't control your emotions.


Can anxiety mimic ADHD?

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.


Do people with ADHD have mood swings?

People with ADHD also tend to feel heightened emotions like anger, frustration, or disappointment. Although moodiness isn't unique to ADHD, poor self-control and impulsivity can cause mood swings, which are common symptoms of ADHD.

What are the three possible diagnoses of ADHD?

Three Possible ADHD Presentations

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists three presentations of ADHD—Predominantly Inattentive, Hyperactive-Impulsive, and Combined.

Why do I have ADHD symptoms but I don't have ADHD?

Anxiety, depression, learning disorders, physical health, and many other conditions can cause symptoms that look like ADHD but aren't.


What can ADHD cause if left untreated?

Risks of untreated ADHD in adults
  • Low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. Women are more likely to have low self-esteem if they have ADHD. ...
  • Difficulty in relationships. ...
  • Job instability. ...
  • Negative parent-child interactions. ...
  • Drug and alcohol misuse.
  • Increased mortality rate.


Why do I have ADHD but I'm not hyper?

Adults who have significant problems with inattention, but exhibit few or no symptoms of hyperactivity, are said to have the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD.

How do you get tested for ADHD?

If you are concerned about whether a child might have ADHD, the first step is to talk with a healthcare provider to find out if the symptoms fit the diagnosis. The diagnosis can be made by a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or by a primary care provider, like a pediatrician.


Can you drive while taking ADHD medication?

We know that stimulant medication for ADHD significantly improves the driver's ability to pay attention to traffic on the road and to better follow traffic laws. Experts in the field of ADHD strongly recommend that drivers who have ADHD take their medication as directed before driving.

How does anxiety affect ADHD?

When you have anxiety along with ADHD, it may make some of your ADHD symptoms worse, such as feeling restless or having trouble concentrating. But anxiety disorder also comes with its own set of symptoms, like: Constant worry about many different things. Feeling on edge.

What is ADHD strongly linked to?

Genetics. 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.


What can ADHD be mistaken for in adults?

Doctors often mistake ADHD symptoms in adults for mood disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions with overlapping symptoms. For adults, hyperactivity can be turned inward.

Can thyroid issues mimic ADHD?

Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of biological and environmental factors — such as poor hormone conversion, nutrient deficiency or environmental factors. “Symptoms can include fatigue and difficulty concentrating, mimicking the inattentive subtype of ADHD,” says Lieberman.

Do I have ADHD or am I just easily distracted?

Bottom line: General distractibility doesn't typically impede one's ability to go about their day, get important tasks done, or fulfill commitments, Dr. Naylon notes. On the other hand, ADHD typically impairs a person's functioning, including their ability to work, succeed in school, or maintain personal relationships.


Is ADHD a mental illness or Neurological Disorder?

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children. It interferes with a person's ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate inhibition (cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioral).

What is the number one symptom of ADHD?

In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge.