Context

Post-Traumatic Stress can produce ADHD-like symptoms in children , teens, and adults

After serving as a military psychologist in the U.S. Navy for nearly a decade, I have worked with hundreds of active duty service members, family members, and veterans with post-traumatic stress.

The executive functioning challenges faced by those with Attention-Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can overlap or co-occur with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD comes in two general forms, single incident and complex/re-occurring psychological trauma. No two people who have experienced psychological trauma will respond in the same way but there are some general symptoms that psychologists use to diagnose someone with PTSD or Complex PTSD:

  1. Intrusions/Re-Experiencing. You have sensory experiences from the trauma(s) ignited when you might not expect it, you think about the trauma or associated memories/themes when you don’t want to, etc.

  2. Avoidance. You avoid people, relational contexts, places, or memories of the traumatic experience (i.e. relational/intimacy avoidance, driving on bumpy highway, etc.).

  3. Persistent Alteration in Cognition/Mood. Your worldview has changed after the trauma(s) and you may not believe you can be safe in the world, in relationships, in (fill in the blank). You may struggle with depressed mood, suicidal ideation, generalized anxiety, etc.

  4. Hyperarousal. You don’t sleep well, you startle easily, you’re watchful/on-guard, you have trouble concentrating.

Reviewing these clusters of PTSD symptoms, it is clear to see many psychological experiences that would impact a child’s ability to regulate their emotions, concentrate on academic tasks, and have relational difficulties after a trauma. The same goes for adults whenever they may experience a tragedy or betrayal.

This is why a thorough ADHD assessment is recommended for anyone struggling with attention, concentration, and executive functioning before the age of 12. Early intervention is key for long-term success.

An ADHD assessment will differentiate between mental health concerns like PTSD from neuroatypical presentations like ADHD, Autism, etc.

Book a complimentary 30-minute video consultation with Dr. Matos to discuss whether you or your child would be appropriate for testing at Matos Psychological Consulting.