Can high energy children be mistaken for ADHD?
ADHD should only be diagnosed by a professional. Frank Barnhill,
M.D., author of Mistaken for ADHD, listed nearly 50 conditions in
his book that can be mistaken for ADHD.
Dr. Barnhill said irritability, hyperactivity, poor memory and
bad grades are classic ADHD symptoms, but they can be also symptoms
of sleep apnea, thyroid disorders, food allergies, seizures and
learning disabilities.
ADHD diagnoses are rising at nearly 3% per year according to the
Centers For Disease Control, which could mean as many as 9 million
kids with ADHD in 2010.