The Diagnostic Process: The Role of Differential Diagnosis
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Published:2019
American Academy of Pediatrics, "The Diagnostic Process: The Role of Differential Diagnosis", ADHD – Caring for Children With ADHD: A Practical Resource Toolkit for Clinicians, William Zurhellen, MD, FAAP, Herschel R. Lessin, MD, FAAP, Eugenia Chan, MD, MPH, FAAP, Carla Counts Allan, MS, PhD, Mark Wolraich, MD, FAAP, Eli Sprecher, MD, MPP, Steven W. Evans, PhD
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ADHD mimics many other health issues…and many other health issues mimic ADHD. Consider the mental health diagnosis of anxiety—which can primarily cause the symptoms of a child presenting to the pediatrician with inattention, or it can be a coexistent or comorbid condition to the primary issue of ADHD. Thus, in the diagnostic process of evaluating a child for ADHD, we must make use of the concept of differential diagnosis (DDx) as a means of guiding us through the maze.
It is also important to understand, and remember, that these potential co-occurring conditions not only can be existent at initial presentation...