ADHD Look-Alikes

ADHD Look-Alikes	ADHD Symptoms
Causes & Treatment	Parenting Tips
ADHD Home

There are many psychological and medical problems that look like ADHD, so any child who presents with even the typical symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder needs to be carefully evaluated. Numerous other problems must be considered and ruled out before a diagnosis of ADHD can be given. Look-alike ADHD children may meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD but have a completely different problem. It is important to distinguish between the conditions because their long-term course and treatment may be quite different.

Some of the most common look-alikes are listed below:

Depression:

Some inattentive children with impulsive and hyperactive behavior are actually suffering from depression. The severity of depression in these children may vary from the more mild "blues" to persistent and severe major depression. Although motor retardation (slowing down) is normally what comes to mind when an individual thinks of a depressive disorder, many children may experience hyperactivity and insomnia instead. Because the treatment of depression and ADHD is different, a doctor should rule out a depressive disorder before beginning medication. Treating the depression will help more than treating the ADHD symptoms.

Anxiety:

Anxiety or PTSD may present as ADHD. Children living in a stressful home situation or dealing with academic pressures may show symptoms of ADHD such as distractibility and inattention. Even mild stress can cause ADHD symptoms, and stimulant medication can often make the anxiety more pronounced.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can also cause symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Excessive activity, "spaciness", and inattention can be signs of obsessions and compulsions and may be made worse if the child is given stimulant medications. A family history of OCD or another anxiety disorder is often an important clue that should not be ignored.

Child Abuse or Neglect:

In some cases, the victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect display the symptoms of ADHD. Even after a limited period of abuse or neglect, these children may continue to show symptoms that are difficult to distinguish from ADHD. Because the child may be unwilling to discuss the abuse, therapy is often crucial in getting to the root of the symptoms.

Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar disorder is being more frequently identified in children. The symptoms of ADHD and bipolar can be very similar and often include impulsivity, inattention, hyperactivity, tantrums, irritability, trouble sleeping and difficulty waking in the morning. The tantrums of bipolar disorder are often more severe and normally last longer. Referred to by many as "rages", they may last for 4 or more hours and become very violent. Hostility is more common in children suffering from bipolar disorder as they have more difficulty regulating their anger and emotions. Self-injury is symptom seen in many bipolar children, but rarely in those with ADHD alone.

Any child suspected of suffering from ADHD with a family history of depression or bipolar might actually be suffering from some form of mood disorder. Bipolar children taking stimulants without a mood stabilizer are at increased risk for mania, violent behavior, and increased rate of cycling between mania and depression. If there is any doubt, the child should not be placed on a stimulant.

Seizures:

Seizures can make a child appear overactive, quarrelsome, impulsive, or inattentive. A particular kind of seizure, called absence seizures or petit mal, can cause a child to lose track of what is going on in the classroom or at home and seem inattentive. Petit mal seizures cause a child to stare with a blank look that may make it look as though the child is daydreaming. An EEG test is usually a reliable way to diagnose this treatable condition.

Chronic Ear Infection:

The discomfort of a chronic middle ear infection can cause problems with sleep as well as irritability. Partial hearing loss caused by this problem often makes a child seem distracted and uncooperative, and may present as problems with inattention if the child is unable to hear well what is going on around him/her.

Learning Disability:

Children with various types of learning disabilities (LD) often have difficulty staying focused in class. Frustration may lead to uncooperative behavior and hyperactivity. The treatment for learning disabilities is special education, not medication.

Gifted children may also appear to be suffering from ADHD. Boredom in the classroom very often leads to inattention and may make it difficult for the student to remain seated and stay on task.

Medications:

The most common medical cause of ADHD symptoms is probably medications taken to treat other conditions. Allergy medicines and medicines to treat seizures are well known for causing hyperactive behavior. Over-the-counter medicines can often have this effect as well. If you believe a medication may be responsible for your child's behavior, speak to the prescribing doctor or consult your pharmacist.

Sleep Problems:

A child who is overtired much of the time may appear to have ADHD. Strangely, lack of sleep often presents as hyperactivity, and can lead to distractibility and trouble focusing. One common cause of overtiredness is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that almost always causes snoring. Staying up too late is also a common cause of lack of sleep.

Other Medical Disorders:

Certain medical disorders such as malfunctions of the thyroid gland, lead poisoning, Sensory Integration Dysfunction and Tourette's Syndrome may also give ADHD like symptoms.

Bipolar not ADHD : Unrecognized epidemic of manic depressive illness in children

The Adhd-Autism Connection : A Step Toward More Accurate Diagnoses and Effective Treatments

Learning Disabilities and ADHD : A Family Guide to Living and Learning Together

Too Loud, Too Bright, Too Fast, Too Tight: What to Do If You Are Sensory Defensive in an Overstimulating World