How can I be sure my child’s ADHD evaluation also screens for psychiatric comorbidities?
Could your child have ADHD? In this 8-part guide, you’ll find expert answers to the questions that will help you make key decisions about seeking a diagnosis.
COMORBIDITIES: What co-existing conditions should my child’s doctor consider when evaluating for ADHD?
A: ADHD rarely exists in isolation. Clinicians must properly screen for and address ADHD and its comorbidities… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
DEPRESSION: What distinguishes ADHD from depression in children?
A: Clinical depression is more than just the blues. It’s a serious illness, and it affects more young people than parents realize… | Keep reading on ADDitude »
ANXIETY: What distinguishes ADHD from anxiety in children?
A: Some anxiety disorders can be hard to spot in children because symptoms include internal thoughts and feelings that don’t always… | Keep reading on WebMD »
OCD: What distinguishes ADHD from OCD in children?
A: Obsessive-compulsive disorder is marked by repetitive thoughts or fears (obsessions) that may turn into repetitive behaviors… | Keep reading on WebMD »
BIPOLAR: What distinguishes ADHD from bipolar disorder in children?
A: Medical science is learning more about bipolar disorder in children and teens. But the condition is still difficult to diagnose. That’s especially true for teenagers in whom irritability and moodiness… | Keep reading on WebMD »
DMDD: What are the symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder in children?
A: DMDD causes children to experience unstable emotions they cannot regulate, including extreme outbursts of anger, leading to temper tantrums. These outbursts often occur in response to… | Keep reading on WebMD »
FIRST-PERSON: “How I Calmed My Daughter’s Anxiety Attack”
“It’s critical that you accept the attack as real. The dizziness, sweating, chest pain, racing heart — all of it is real. Don’t tell her that it’s just in her head or that she’s OK. So what can you do? Start by holding her close.” | Keep reading on ADDitude »
RELATED RESOURCES
SYMPTOM TEST: Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Children
Every child worries sometimes — about monsters or tests or new experiences. A child with anxiety feels anxious about nearly everything. | Take the self-test on ADDitude »
SYMPTOM TEST: Depression in Children
Does your child say they’re ‘too tired’ to do activities they used to love? Have trouble making even simple decisions? | Take the self-test on ADDitude »
8-Part Guide to ADHD Diagnosis in Children, from WebMD x ADDitude:
DECISION 1: How can I better understand ADHD, its causes, and its manifestations?
DECISION 2: How can I understand the aspects of ADHD that might be new to the doctor?
DECISION 3: How can I improve the odds of an accurate ADHD evaluation for my child?
DECISION 4: How can I find a professional to diagnose and treat my child’s ADHD?
DECISION 5: What should a thorough evaluation for pediatric ADHD include and exclude?
> DECISION 6: How can I be sure my child’s evaluation screens for psychiatric comorbidities?
DECISION 7: How can I be sure my child’s evaluation considers look-alike comorbidities?
DECISION 8: Should my child be screened for the sleep, eating, and other disorders?
