Do you struggle to regulate your emotions? Or concentrate on tasks? It could be ADHD…or anxiety. Or both. Or something else entirely.

Most of my clients have ADHD symptoms that overlap with other psychiatric disorders and even physical conditions. An ADHD differential diagnosis helps us identify whether you have ADHD or another disorder that mimics ADHD.

I’ll cover the ins and outs of ADHD differential diagnosis, the closest resembling conditions to ADHD, and how to move forward, no matter your diagnosis. 

What is an ADHD Differential Diagnosis?

An ADHD differential diagnosis is a process of elimination for other disorders with symptoms that may mimic ADHD. 

For example, ADHD and anxiety disorders share some symptoms. A medical professional will carefully assess your symptoms over time to make an ADHD differential diagnosis. Or, they may diagnose both ADHD and anxiety, or rule ADHD out completely. 

Here’s the thing. ADHD has similar symptoms across the board, but the combination might look different for each person. And when you add ADHD’s high rates of psychiatric comorbidities (disorders and conditions a person is likely to have alongside ADHD), diagnosis can get tricky. 

It’s our job as mental health professionals to understand whether your symptoms are from:

• • ADHD alone
    
    
  • ADHD and another psychiatric comorbidity

• • Not ADHD and another condition altogether

This means looking beyond ADHD to identify any other explanations for symptoms. While symptoms for two conditions might be similar, successful treatment can be quite different. That’s why it’s vital to accurately diagnose ADHD from other conditions. 

Which Conditions Mimic ADHD the Most? 

The conditions that mimic ADHD the most include anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. However, they vary depending on your age. Conditions that mimic ADHD are different in children compared to adults:

Conditions that mimic ADHD the most in children:

• • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD): A common disorder in children, particularly boys, ODD is characterized by temper tantrums, angry attitudes, and refusal to comply with orders from parents or teachers.  

• • Sleep disorders: Poor sleep in children can result in memory and concentration problems, alongside learning difficulties, all of which can mimic symptoms of ADHD. 
  • Anxiety: Over 20% of youth struggle with anxiety, which demonstrates an overall increase in recent years. Symptoms of anxiety can include overthinking, ruminating, stress, and trouble concentrating. Additionally, children with ADHD are sometimes diagnosed with both ADHD and anxiety. 

Conditions that mimic ADHD the most in adults:

• • Bipolar Disorder: ADHD and bipolar disorder can both make you feel hyperactive, disorganized, and unfocused. But bipolar disorder differs from ADHD because of its episodes of mania and depression. 

• • Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): BPD is characterized by instability from intense changes in mood that can last for hours (rarely days). While ADHD can demonstrate irritability and mood changes, its hyperactivity can persist for much longer than that of BPD. 

• • Depression: The sadness that comes with depression can make it hard to concentrate or execute tasks, similar to ADHD. On top of that, people with ADHD are three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression. 

• • Thyroid disorders: Shockingly, physical conditions can also mimic ADHD symptoms. People with thyroid disorders also struggle with trouble concentrating, brain fog, and memory problems, like those with ADHD. 
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Both ASD and ADHD share symptoms like difficulty following through with tasks and losing track of conversations with peers. Over 40% of people with ASD have experienced symptoms of ADHD as well, though the reverse isn’t as common.

How Do I Know I Need An ADHD Differential Diagnosis?

You’ll know if you need an ADHD differential diagnosis if you experience any ADHD symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day activities (namely, hyperactivity or inattentiveness).

And if those symptoms overlap with others like problems sleeping, intense mood changes, or depressive episodes, you should definitely talk to a mental health professional. 

In other words? Any symptoms that affect your day-to-day functioning call for a differential diagnosis. 

A great first step is to take a free online ADHD test. From there, you schedule an ADHD assessment with one of our team members to help determine a tailored treatment plan. 

 

What Happens After an ADHD Differential Diagnosis?

An ADHD differential diagnosis can feel overwhelming, with uncertainty about how to move forward. The good news is that you can still live a thriving life with ADHD, whether it’s ADHD alone or with another condition. 

Treatment depends on your lifestyle, goals, and diagnosis. 

• • If you’re diagnosed with ADHD: Meditation, therapy, and medication are all viable avenues for treatment. You can always reach out to one of our mental health professionals to discuss your symptoms and goals in more detail.
    
    
  • If you’re diagnosed with ADHD and another psychiatric disorder: ADHD has many psychiatric comorbidities, and many of my clients have experienced them. With two diagnoses, we’d still discuss your symptoms and goals while tailoring a treatment plan. You may also want to speak to your assessing medical provider to understand any other considerations with medication or treatment.
    
    
  • If you’re diagnosed with another psychiatric disorder and not ADHD: Our mental health professionals would do their best to refer you to another specialist who has experience with other disorders. However, we would still happily offer you therapy and coaching services to help manage the stress that comes with a new diagnosis. 

Get Your ADHD Differential Diagnosis Today!

An ADHD differential diagnosis can feel intimidating at first. But once you know the true cause of your symptoms, you’re on your way to mitigating them. 

Our team here at West Coast Adult ADHD is ready to support you with therapy, coaching, and tailored treatment plans for your ADHD. Book an appointment today!

 

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