As part of the diagnosis, your pediatrician will look for other conditions that show the same types of symptoms as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Your child may simply have a different condition or ADHD and another condition. Many children who have been diagnosed with ADHD have at least one coexisting condition.
Common coexisting conditions include the following:
Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder
Up to 35 percent of children with ADHD also have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Children with oppositional defiant disorder tend to lose their temper easily and annoy people on purpose and are defiant and hostile toward authority figures. Children with conduct disorder break rules, destroy property, and violate the rights of other people. Children with coexisting conduct disorder are at much higher risk for getting into trouble with the law than children who have only ADHD. Studies show that this type of coexisting condition is more common among children with the primarily hyperactive/impulsive and combination types of ADHD. Your pediatrician may recommend counseling for your child if she has this condition.
Up to 35 percent of children with ADHD also have oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. Children with oppositional defiant disorder tend to lose their temper easily and annoy people on purpose and are defiant and hostile toward authority figures. Children with conduct disorder break rules, destroy property, and violate the rights of other people. Children with coexisting conduct disorder are at much higher risk for getting into trouble with the law than children who have only ADHD. Studies show that this type of coexisting condition is more common among children with the primarily hyperactive/impulsive and combination types of ADHD. Your pediatrician may recommend counseling for your child if she has this condition.
Mood Disorders/Depression
About 18 percent of children with ADHD also have mood disorders such as depression. There is frequently a family history of these types of disorders. Coexisting mood disorders may put children at higher risk for suicide, especially during the teenage years. These disorders are more common among children with inattentive and combined types of ADHD. Children with mood disorders or depression often require a different type of medication than those normally used to treat ADHD.
About 18 percent of children with ADHD also have mood disorders such as depression. There is frequently a family history of these types of disorders. Coexisting mood disorders may put children at higher risk for suicide, especially during the teenage years. These disorders are more common among children with inattentive and combined types of ADHD. Children with mood disorders or depression often require a different type of medication than those normally used to treat ADHD.
Anxiety Disorders
These affect about 25 percent of children with ADHD. Children with anxiety disorders have extreme feelings of fear, worry or panic that make it difficult to function. These disorders can produce physical symptoms such as racing pulse, sweating, diarrhea and nausea. Counseling and/or medication may be needed to treat these coexisting conditions.
These affect about 25 percent of children with ADHD. Children with anxiety disorders have extreme feelings of fear, worry or panic that make it difficult to function. These disorders can produce physical symptoms such as racing pulse, sweating, diarrhea and nausea. Counseling and/or medication may be needed to treat these coexisting conditions.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are conditions that make it difficult for a child to master specific skills such as reading or math. ADHD is not a learning disability. However, ADHD can make it hard for a child to do well in school. Diagnosing learning disabilities requires evaluations such as IQ and academic achievement tests.
Learning disabilities are conditions that make it difficult for a child to master specific skills such as reading or math. ADHD is not a learning disability. However, ADHD can make it hard for a child to do well in school. Diagnosing learning disabilities requires evaluations such as IQ and academic achievement tests.
Common Conditions Co-Existing with ADHD
American Academy of Pediatrics
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