When a child, teen or adult schedules an intake with a mental health professional because of symptoms of ADHD, the professional has to rule out other disorders before making a clear diagnosis. Kids, adolescents and adults can have more than one mental health disorder. According to Kids Health, 35 percent of children with ADHD also struggle with oppositional defiant disorder. Sometimes it can be tricky to determine which disorder or disorders a person has.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder is characterized by a child who defies authority figures, throws temper tantrums, loses his temper, argues with adults, is often angry, blames others for problems and tries to annoy and irritate others. Children with ADHD often throw temper tantrums because of frustration and seem irritable on a regular basis. Their behavior might be mistaken as intentional when it's not. For instance, a child who constantly blurts out answers in class may annoy his teacher. His teacher may not recognize that the child struggles with ADHD and is not intentionally impulsive. These disorders often coexist, and mental health professionals have to find out a lot of information in order to give a child the right diagnosis.
Mood Disorders
Children and teens with mood disorders, such as depression, usually isolate themselves from their peers, seem upset or irritable on a regular basis and have issues in school. A child or teen who suffers from ADHD will also appear as if she is isolating herself, but it's for different reasons. A child with ADHD acts socially inappropriate and has a hard time making and maintaining relationships, but she's interested in making friends. A child with a mood disorder intentionally isolates herself. Both disorders will cause the child to have difficulty in school because of an inability to concentrate.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders and ADHD cause children, teens and adults to be restless, have a hard time concentrating and have difficulty making and maintaining healthy relationships. Both of these mental health disorders also make it difficult for a child or teen to be successful in school. A child with an anxiety disorder, such as social phobia, will have a hard time participating in class, meeting new people, giving presentations and interacting with adults. A child with ADHD will struggle in school because of inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Learning Disabilities
KidsHealth reports that approximately half of children with a diagnosis of ADHD also struggle with a learning disability. These disorders are similar, because they both make it difficult for a child or teen to do well in school. They both also affect a child's self-esteem in negative ways.
