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A Diagnosis Wrinkle
Parents need to understand that the diagnostic process can be further complicated during the treatment phase. It was for 10-year-old Robert.
He was diagnosed with ADHD and was put on a stimulant. Two days later, his mother called, saying that her son had become anxious. He would not sleep alone, and he would call his mother from school to make sure she was OK. I took him off the medication, and his anxiety disappeared.
While some children with ADHD may also have an anxiety disorder or another comorbid condition, sometimes the disorder is so minimal that there are no symptoms. We call this subclinical. Taking a stimulant, however, may exacerbate a low-level condition. When this happens, it is important to deal with the anxiety disorder first. Once that is treated, it is generally safe to reintroduce the stimulant without causing a flare-up of anxiety.
More About Conditions Related to ADHD
Is It More Than ADHD? Diagnosing & Treating Bipolar Disorder
How to Treat Depression in Children with ADHD
Parenting ADHD Children with Learning Disabilities
This article comes from the Spring 2009 issue of ADDitude.
To read this issue of ADDitude in full, SUBSCRIBE NOW!
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