5 red flags that your child may have been misdiagnosed with ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common misdiagnoses in children. There's no doubt that ADHD is an issue for some kids, but the potential for misdiagnosis exists.

A proper ADHD diagnosis takes time. There are several steps in the process, and if a physician doesn't spend enough time with a child, there's a good chance that he could make an incorrect diagnosis.

• It should be noted that symptoms of ADHD must exist in a child for a minimum of six months before an official diagnosis can be made.
• If the process seemed rushed, it's best to get a second opinion.

A recent American study found that 900,000 children in our neighbour to the south may be misdiagnosed with ADHD and that teachers are more likely to attribute ADHD to younger children in a class.

• Teachers can sometimes mistake a lack of maturity with ADHD symptoms.
• Since teachers usually are the first ones to point out potential ADHD, this can be a cause of misdiagnosis.

Common ADHD symptoms can be caused by a host of other conditions.

• Food allergies, for instance, were found to cause symptoms that had been attributed to ADHD in about 64 percent of children in one study.
• Similarly, sleep disorders, processing disorders and even temporary stressors can result in the same symptoms as ADHD.
• Make sure to discuss these other problems with your doctor.

If a doctor doesn't enquire about other possible causes of presenting symptoms, parents should wonder whether every possibility was considered before giving their child a diagnosis.

• If this appears to be the case, seek out a second opinion.

In the end, parents should go with their gut instincts. After all, no one knows their child better.

• An individual should never feel embarrassed or fearful about asking for a second opinion or further discussing a diagnosis with a doctor.
• Always speak with doctors who have extensive experience with ADHD, and if something doesn't seem right, don't be afraid to dig deeper.

ADHD has often been considered a knee-jerk diagnosis for many children with other attention problems or even something as simple as excess energy. Before putting your child on medication, make sure you are comfortable with the ADHD diagnosis and have exhausted other realistic options.