Misdiagnosis Monday

ADHD Misdiagnosis Monday Series

#MisdiagnosisMonday: ADHD Edition Thank you so much for joining along for my 10 week #ADHD series. I’ve learned A LOT

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Is it ADHD or ODD? How Racial Bias Impacts Diagnosis.

As a mental health therapist specializing in neurodivergent conditions, I am committed to shedding light on the systemic issues that

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ADHD vs. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

ADHD vs. ODD I have been hesitant to create this Venn diagram as part of my #ADHD misdiagnosis series. I

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ADHD vs BPD

ADHD vs. BPD Since week one of my ADHD #misdiagnosismonday series, I’ve consistently received requests to cover ADHD vs. Borderline

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ADHD vs. Depression

Depression vs. ADHD Depression and ADHD co-occur at high rates. As Goodman and Thase, 2009 observed: “A significant proportion of

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ADHD vs Anxiety

ADHD and Anxiety ADHD and anxiety share a complicated relationship. There is a robust link between anxiety and ADHD. Estimates

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A graphic titled "ADHD vs. PTSD: Overlaps & Differences" from Neurodivergent Insights. It features a three-column Venn diagram comparing ADHD and PTSD under the heading "Misdiagnosis Monday." The left circle lists ADHD-specific traits such as being innate, seeking novelty, difficulty regulating attention, hyperfocus, creativity, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The right circle lists PTSD-specific traits such as trauma onset, avoidance behaviors, attention difficulties due to intrusive memories, negative core beliefs, and hypervigilance. The overlapping middle section includes shared traits: sleep irregularities, impulse control difficulties, working memory issues, sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation difficulties, heightened stress response, and hyperarousal. The image uses a clean design with blue and pink accents and includes the Neurodivergent Insights logo.

ADHD vs. PTSD (or ADHD and PTSD)

November 22, 2021 ADHD vs PTSD (or…. ADHD and PTSD) Buckle up; this is a complex one. There are different

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A graphic from Neurodivergent Insights titled “Misdiagnosis Monday: Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Autism” explores overlaps and differences between BPD and Autism. In the center, shared traits include low self-esteem or feelings of being imposters, a diffuse sense of self, difficulty with social nuance, increased risk of eating disorders and substance use, heightened emotional sensitivity, and a higher risk of victimization, suicidality, and self-harm. Both can also involve shame dynamics and trouble with regulating emotions. On the left side, under “BPD,” traits include identity instability—marked by ongoing changes in relationships, moods, and self-image; intense emotional upset often triggered by attachment wounds and trauma reminders; inconsistent relationship patterns with cycles of idealization and devaluation; persistent emptiness and feelings of worthlessness; and BPD-distinctive traits such as impulsivity, self-harm, and fear of abandonment. BPD is also characterized by a strong fear of being alone. On the right side, under “Autism,” traits include a masked identity, where autistic people may adopt personas to fit in; emotional upset often triggered by unexpected change, social misunderstanding, or sensory overload; struggles with relationships due to challenges in understanding social rules or maintaining more than one relationship at a time; and special interests, which are often deeply tied to identity and help regulate anxiety. Unique autistic traits can include monotonic speech, stimming, difficulty with self-advocacy, and alexithymia (difficulty identifying emotions). At the bottom, the graphic notes that a person can experience both conditions. The image includes the Neurodivergent Insights logo.

BPD vs Autism

November 16, 2021 Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Autism Borderline Personality Disorder is a common misdiagnosis for Autistic women and genderqueer

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A graphic from Neurodivergent Insights titled “Misdiagnosis Monday: Social Anxiety vs. Autism” compares overlapping traits and key differences between Social Anxiety and Autism. In the center, shared traits include gaze avoidance, discomfort starting conversations, discomfort with parties, a dislike of being perceived, difficulty interacting with strangers, social withdrawal, and a dislike of unexpected changes. On the left side, under “Social Anxiety,” traits include making initial eye contact but then looking away; a desire to be social that’s disrupted by anxiety; physical signs of anxiety like trembling, a racing heart, shortness of breath, or nausea; fear of being judged or perceived negatively in social situations, leading to avoidance; and heightened sensory and social responses, such as increased sensitivity to noise or visual stimuli when anxious. On the right side, under “Autism,” traits include slower or no eye contact or generally avoiding it; reduced social motivation, often due to being more focused on personal interests and internal thoughts; physical manifestations like repetitive behaviors or stimming, which help self-soothe; discomfort and confusion in social situations, especially in cross-neurotype interactions, often tied to missing or misreading social cues; and difficulty managing sensory and social demands, especially with small talk or overstimulating environments, which can lead to social battery depletion. A note at the bottom emphasizes that a person can experience both social anxiety and autism. The graphic includes the Neurodivergent Insights logo.

Social Anxiety vs Autism

November 15, 2021 Social Anxiety vs. Autism Social anxiety and Autism co-occur at high rates, particularly among high-masking Autistic individuals.

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An infographic titled “Misdiagnosis Monday: Schizophrenia vs Autism” from Neurodivergent Insights. The graphic uses a Venn diagram to compare symptoms of schizophrenia (left side, pink) and autism (right side, blue), with overlapping traits shown in the center (red). Schizophrenia side includes: Reality confusion Hallucinations Paranoid & delusional thought patterns Psychosis Disorganized thinking Symptoms appear in adolescence Autism side includes: Repetitive behavior & routines Echolalia Social-reciprocity difficulty Special interests Symptoms appear in early childhood Overlap includes: Dissociation Social withdrawal Abnormal perceptions Increased risk of suicide Difficulty with eye contact Substance abuse common Executive functioning difficulties Self-preserving in nature Disorganized thinking Internally oriented Depression & anxiety Sensory sensitivities Social difficulties Self-harm common Flat affect At the bottom, it reads: “Dr. Neff – Misdiagnosis Monday Series” and “A person can experience both!”

Schizophrenia vs. Autism

October 18, 2021 Schizophrenia vs. Autism (plus, a brief history of Autism) Historically speaking, Autism is a relatively new diagnosis.

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