How Do You Differentiate Between ADD, ADHD And Post Traumatic Stress In Children?
Children who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or other related childhood disorders may actually be suffering from Post Traumatic Stess, whose symptoms–hypervigilance, insomnia, risk-taking behaviors and attention difficulties–can mimic those of ADD/ADHD. Not surprisingly, these children are often misdiagnosed.It is important to closely evaluate the child, her background and her life experiences before determining if the child has attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactive disorder or if she is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress reactions. Discuss possible traumatic events with the child’s parents. Almost any event may be significant to a child, even those that adults don’t realize were traumatic. The death of a family member or a cherished pet can bring about trauma reactions in young children. Likewise a fire, a bully at school or a stranger at the bus stop can trigger feelings of fear and worry that preoccupy children, making it difficult for them to function normally. Tal
