ADHD is a foundational disorder that frequently occurs with coexisting conditions. There are a number of sleep, neurodevelopmental, sensory processing, fetal substance exposure, psychological, trauma, substance use conditions which can frequently occur with and worsen ADHD, or cause ADHD-like symptoms when true ADHD does not exist. Between 67 to 80% of clinic-referred children and 80% or more of adults with ADHD have at least one additional disorder, up to 50% have two or more other conditions, and 20% have three or more coexisting disorders. When other disorders exist along with ADHD, these combinations can magnify and sometimes even mask ADHD to create more complex diagnostic presentations that make successful evaluations and treatment even more challenging. Because ADHD can “hide” these conditions, they may not be recognized as separate disorders and these other symptoms and conditions may be incorrectly assumed to be part of the ADHD.
Additionally, while clinical practice guidelines recommend that ADHD evaluations include the exploration of potential coexisting or other conditions, clinicians may not adequately screen for and identify the numerous additional conditions as part of their diagnostic process because they do not know about the disorders, or have not been informed to do so. Sometimes true ADHD does not exist, but because many conditions can cause ADHD-like presentations, a misdiagnosis of ADHD may result. Further, when coexisting conditions are not identified, comprehensive and effective treatment typically does not occur and families and clinicians may experience confusion with only partial progress, while symptoms and frustrations can persist without hope or relief.
This presentation will discuss the importance of identifying and addressing the numerous potential conditions that can coexist with ADHD in children and adolescents. The conditions addressed in the presentation include medical, prenatal substance exposure, sleep, neurodevelopmental, sensory processing, psychological, substance use, psychological trauma and trauma-related conditions. These will be discussed, their key symptoms will be presented so participants can better understand and identify the disorders, and the providers who can further evaluate and treat them will be shared.