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. Many of these disorders share symptomatology with ADHD.
As the table shows, each cardinal symptom of ADHD corresponds with at least one other psychiatric condition. Specifically, symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention, moodiness, sleep problems, and excessive talking also correspond with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
This symptom overlap underscores the necessity of completing a differential diagnosis for all patients. Making an accurate diagnosis is difficult, and misdiagnoses are all too common.
References
Culpepper LC. Recognizing and diagnosing ADHD in college students. J Clin Psychiatry. 2011;doi:10.4088/JCP.11009tx2c.
Searight HR, Burke JM, Rottnek F. Adult ADHD: evaluation and treatment in family medicine. Am Fam Physician. 2000;62(9):2077–2086.
Qstream, Inc. All rights reserved.
Why is it that even after we’ve made peace with someone’s actions, the memory lingers?…
Knowing that ADHD is manageable flips the script from despair to possibility. It’s not just…
If you care about your cognitive health or that of your children, understanding the impact…
As a teen with ADHD, you're navigating school, friendships, family expectations, and your own identity—all…
Harold Robert Meyer | The ADD Resource Center 06/21/2025 Executive Summary Speaking with authority can…
Harold Robert Meyer | The ADD Resource Center 06/20/25 Executive Summary In a world that…