Inattention: Is it ADHD or something else?
Have you or your child been diagnosed with ADHD and the treatment doesn’t seem to be working? Unfortunately, many individuals are misdiagnosed with ADHD and do not receive the proper assessment and necessary neurological testing. Symptoms like inattention and hyperactivity are common in individuals with ADHD, but these symptoms could also be caused by many other conditions. Being easily distracted, unable to focus, having difficulty following directions, or difficulty sitting still could suggest the presence other conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or a specific learning disorder. Not knowing the true underlying cause of your symptoms runs the risk of receiving inappropriate services (e.g., medication) that can worsen symptoms in the long-term.
Below are some ADHD-related statistics:
– According to Michigan State University, nearly 1 million children in the United States are potentially misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
– 41% of children who experienced trauma endorsed difficulty concentrating
– In 2011, Pennsylvania was ranked the 24th highest state with ADHD diagnoses, 9.3% of which were children
– ADHD diagnoses have increased 16% since 2007 and 53% in the past decade
– Boys are more likely than girls to have been diagnosed with ADHD
– ADHD diagnoses increase among older teens compared to younger children