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Could Symptoms Of ADD Be Misdiagnosed As Depression?
Question: I have been on citalopram for almost 2 years. I quit taking it on my own for a couple of months last year and ended up stabbing someone and going to jail. In jail they put me back on it. It never seemed to work after I went back on it, even though I had a mgs increase. I've been seeing a private therapist who has asked me 3 times in the middle of conversation if I had ever been diagnosed with ADD. Could I have been misdiagnOsed with depression? I'm very depressed and anxious now but a lot of what I've read after she asked me about add seems to make a lot of sense.
Brief Answer:
Yes poor concentration and inattention can be seen in ADD
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals with depression and anxiety have poor concentration, poor focus as presenting symptoms. In a lot of patients of ADD, depressive and anxiety disorder are found co-morbid. A number of patients with depression show symptoms of ADD, but detailed evaluation is needed to make proper and confirmed diagnosis.
If you have symptoms of inattention and poor concentration then you can go for re-evaluation of your symptoms. The medicines like Modafinil, Amphetamines etc can be used to improve the concentration in depression and also in ADD. So it could be the possibility that depressive disorder has been mis-diagnosed but more detailed symptoms evaluation is needed.
Citalopram is not acting then other medicines of this group like Escitalopram can prove useful. Along with these medicines other medicines like Modafinil, Armodafinil can augment the antidepressants in poor concentration and inattention. Please discuss with your psychiatrist for prescription of this drug.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care
Yes poor concentration and inattention can be seen in ADD
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries
I can understand your concern. A lot of individuals with depression and anxiety have poor concentration, poor focus as presenting symptoms. In a lot of patients of ADD, depressive and anxiety disorder are found co-morbid. A number of patients with depression show symptoms of ADD, but detailed evaluation is needed to make proper and confirmed diagnosis.
If you have symptoms of inattention and poor concentration then you can go for re-evaluation of your symptoms. The medicines like Modafinil, Amphetamines etc can be used to improve the concentration in depression and also in ADD. So it could be the possibility that depressive disorder has been mis-diagnosed but more detailed symptoms evaluation is needed.
Citalopram is not acting then other medicines of this group like Escitalopram can prove useful. Along with these medicines other medicines like Modafinil, Armodafinil can augment the antidepressants in poor concentration and inattention. Please discuss with your psychiatrist for prescription of this drug.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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