Dr. Amy Marschall, Psy.D
When it comes to struggles with our mental health, getting the most accurate and specific diagnosis can be the difference between treatment that doesn’t make a difference and treatment that changes our lives. Unfortunately, our brains’ complexity makes getting the right diagnosis tricky. Even trained professionals sometimes find it hard to tell the difference between conditions that have similar symptoms. Arming yourself with the information can help you advocate for yourself and ask the right questions. Here are five conditions that are often confused with ADHD:
1. Anxiety
It’s normal to feel anxious, nervous, or worried from time to time. We all do. Anxiety disorder happens when people feel anxiety too often or too strongly or when those nervous or worried feelings arise even when there’s no real, present danger. Anxiety can make it challenging to focus, stay organized, and sit still—all similar symptoms to those present with ADHD or made worse by ADHD.
2. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings, with periods of high energy and impulsiveness, followed by low energy and depression. Mood swings and impulsiveness are also ADHD symptoms. The difference here is that when bipolar disorder is the root of the struggle, these symptoms happen in episodes that last for a short time. ADHD, on the other hand, starts in childhood and its symptoms are more constant.
3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD is a condition of repetitive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and the performance of certain actions (compulsions) meant to relieve anxiety. Sometimes people with ADHD develop routines to stay organized, which can look like OCD behaviors. However, OCD involves intense distress and constant checking, while ADHD is more about forgetfulness and losing things.
4. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
ODD involves frequent anger, irritability, and defiance toward authority figures, which can sometimes be mistaken for the emotional outbursts and impulsive behavior seen in ADHD. Both children with ADHD and those with ODD may have trouble controlling their emotions, but ODD is more about defiance and aggression.
5. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is caused by experiencing a traumatic event and can lead to symptoms like memory problems, difficulty focusing, and impulsive behavior—similar to ADHD. People with ADHD are also more likely to experience trauma, making it harder to tell the two apart. However, if the symptoms are still present after trauma treatment, ADHD might also be present.
Final Thoughts
If your treatment isn’t helping all your symptoms, it’s worth asking your doctor about more testing. It’s common to have more than one condition, and getting a clear diagnosis can help you find the right treatment plan that works for you.
Do you need an ADHD diagnosis? Take our Diagnostic Evaluation to find out if it’s ADHD, anxiety, depression, and/or other co-occurring mental health conditions. Our professional assessment is reviewed by a licensed psychologist to ensure you get the right diagnosis and the help you need.
Dr. Marschall is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in diagnosing ADHD and autism across the lifespan. She is an author, speaker, and advocate for neurodiversity-affirming care and improving access to accurate diagnoses and mental health support for the ADHD and autistic communities. She owns a private practice providing assessments and therapy. She was diagnosed with ADHD and autism as an adult.
