Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are unique and distinct mental health conditions. On their own, they can very much disrupt a person’s life. When they are co-morbid, the stakes get exponentially higher. Someone with ADHD carries four times the risk of being diagnosed with PTSD. For those with PTSD, the risk of ADHD is double.
Trauma survivors are far more often diagnosed with ADHD than those without PTSD. Meanwhile, there’s a higher incidence of traumatic events experienced by people with ADHD than those in the general population. This complex and sometimes confusing relationship requires greater awareness to discern and manage.
A Little Bit About PTSD
PTSD is an acquired condition. Most people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. About 10 percent of them will end up with a PTSD diagnosis. This happens because trauma triggers a massive stress response. If it is not resolved, such a reaction can leave a person stuck in a perpetual state of survival mode.
Common PTSD symptoms include:
- Intrusive thoughts
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Hyper-vigilance
- Social withdrawal
- Avoiding anything that causes you to recall the traumatic event
- Sleep issues
- Anger problems
- Loss of executive function
- Depression
A Little Bit About ADHD
PTSD is a form of innate neurodivergence. People are born with ADHD, and it is most often diagnosed during early childhood. Some of those with ADHD will struggle with impulsive and hyperactive behavior. Others display difficulty when attempting to regulate attention. “Combined” ADHD manifests in both sets of symptoms. These signs may involve forgetfulness, problems staying focused on tasks and conversations, constantly talking and/or moving, interrupting, and impulsivity.
Shared Symptoms of ADHD and PTSD
A clinician can be challenged when diagnosing these two disorders. Due to symptom overlap, it’s not simple to identify if one or both are present. Here are a few examples of the factors involved:
- Both groups will display high levels of anxiety that manifests in them being easily startled and existing in a state of high alert. With PTSD, this is usually related to unresolved trauma. People with ADHD are more likely to feel anxious because they face scrutiny and judgment for their symptoms.
- Forgetfulness and memory issues are also common in both groups. Such signs are inherent to ADHD, while PTSD can present in a similar way because the survivor is dealing with memories stored as fragments.
- Sleep disturbances are almost always present in both groups. Even though the root causes are different, individuals struggle to “turn their brain off.”
- The daily challenges of either condition can contribute to depressive episodes, of which it’s not easy to discern the source.
- All of the above (and more) can result in self-medication (drinking, drugs, gaming, porn, etc.) to dull or numb the chronic distress.
Diagnosing and Treating PTSD and ADHD
Getting the help you need and deserve begins with some intensive assessment and evaluation. You may experience any or all of the signs described above. Now what? Ideally, you will seek out a mental health professional who can help you rule out other possible causes. From there, this process will involve lots of observation and plenty of consultation with others in your life.
The goal is to narrow down the possible source or sources in such a way as to be as certain as possible that it’s PTSD or ADHD — or both. When you’ve connected with a therapist who is experienced in treating ADHD and PTSD, you’ve taken a massive step in the journey of recovery and healing. Your counselor will work with you to create a two-pronged treatment approach with a singular goal: dramatically improved mental and physical well-being. Reach out to schedule an trauma therapy session today.
