The short answer is yes. But let’s expand on that, shall we? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are two discreet mental health conditions. Both have the potential to cause serious distress to a person’s overall well-being. Something not often discussed about these disorders is how they can be linked.

For starters, PTSD and ADHD affect the brain in similar ways and have many symptoms in common. They have what’s called a “bidirectional” relationship. Consider that someone with PTSD has twice the risk of developing ADHD than people without PTSD. Individuals with ADHD are four times as likely to develop PTSD. Clearly, there’s a connection to be explored.

ADHD Basics

As the name implies, ADHD impacts your brain’s ability to regulate attention while causing hyperactivity and impulsivity. ADHD tends to emerge during early childhood, and it is believed that people are born with it. As many as 11 percent of U.S. children struggle with ADHD.

The disorder manifests in three broad categories:

• ADHD-I: difficulty regulating attention

• ADHD-H: impulsive and hyperactive behavior

• ADHD-C: both inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity

Someone with ADHD will typically display symptoms like:

• Trouble staying on task and following through with projects

• Impulsivity

• Forgetfulness

• Always moving or at least fidgeting

• Never stops talking (and interrupting)

• Inability to focus on the task at hand

• Not listening when spoken to

PTSD Basics

Like ADHD, PTSD is a form of neurodivergence — but it is not innate; it is acquired. PTSD is caused by trauma. As many as 10 percent of those who endure traumatic events will be diagnosed with PTSD. Generally speaking, the trauma sets off your mind and body into a survival response. If the trauma is not processed and resolved, the person ends up stuck in this fight-or-flight response. This is the basic genesis of PTSD, and it causes symptoms like:

• Hyper-vigilance

• Avoidance of anything related to the traumatic experience

• Intrusive thoughts like nightmares and flashbacks

• Loss of executive function

• Angry outbursts

• Sleep disturbances

• Depression

Similarities Between PTSD and ADHD

Research shows both cause changes to your prefrontal cortex. This can hamper one’s ability to pay attention, resist impulses, and make rational plans. Thus, as the lists above suggest, you can witness crossover symptoms that make diagnosis treatment, e.g.:

• Poor concentration

• Impulsivity

• Easily startled

• Restlessness and irritability

• Fractured memories

• Easily distracted

• Sleep problems

• Depression

Diagnosing PTSD and ADHD

Do not try this at home. You will need guidance from a mental health professional very familiar with both disorders. They’ll need to rule out other possible causes. This is accomplished through observation and taking a thorough history. Of special concern will be knowing about any current or past trauma. Also, your age at the onset of symptoms can be crucial. Keep in mind that you could have both disorders, and that, of course, will shape the treatment choices.

Treating Both ADHD and PTSD

Your therapist will assess if one condition requires priority over the other regarding treatment. Psychotherapy has a long, successful track record for people with PTSD. Controlling those symptoms will go a long way toward identifying the primary source of each sign.

For example, someone with PTSD might be distracted because they are always on high alert. Meanwhile, distractibility in ADHD is more about an inability to regulate attention and, quite possibly, rapid loss of interest in a situation. All of this may sound daunting, but since ADHD and PTSD are not uncommon as comorbidities, therapists are aware of the need to screen for both.

Now What?

Simply put, if you or someone you know is displaying any combination of the symptoms listed herein, I’d love to connect with you to discuss your options.