Psychofarm Podcast How to Decide When ADHD Is Actually ADHD
Nov 25, 2025
The complexities of diagnosing ADHD are unraveled through a detailed case study. Listeners learn how personal history, mood swings, and personality traits can obscure clarity. Strategies for improvement, like structured routines and therapy, are explored. Alternative conditions that mimic ADHD are also discussed, highlighting the importance of thorough evaluations. The hosts emphasize a holistic approach and caution against rushing into medication, advocating for careful assessment and tailored treatment plans.
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Diagnosis Is A Clinical Judgment
- Diagnosis is a clinical judgment shaped by clinician cutoffs rather than a fixed biological test.
- Dr. Fu stresses ADHD boundaries are murky and depend on provider judgment and context.
Complex Histories Blur ADHD Signals
- A thorough case history reveals multiple interacting factors beyond attention problems.
- Dr. Fu uses a sample patient to show how childhood, relationships, and school all cloud diagnosis.
Representative Patient Case With Many Stressors
- The patient reports attention problems starting in middle school during a custody battle and a strict stepfather.
- He now struggles in grad school, works nights, uses cannabis, and has relationship conflicts impacting focus.
