Dr. Victor Carrión: How to Heal From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Misdiagnosis

The overlap between ADHD and PTSD symptoms often leads to misdiagnosis, complicating treatment approaches. Victor Carrión highlights that while ADHD is real, many children are overmedicated, and those with true ADHD are often undermedicated due to access issues 1. He explains that children with PTSD might be mistakenly given stimulant medications, which can exacerbate their symptoms rather than alleviate them. Andrew Huberman adds that children with ADHD can focus intensely on engaging activities, but struggle in less stimulating environments, a pattern that differs from PTSD's cue-triggered hyperactivity 2.

The first line of intervention for children that have a history of PTSD, be acute or chronic, is psychosocial. It's a psychosocial intervention.

--- Victor Carrión

   

Symptom Distinction

Distinguishing between PTSD and ADHD symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Andrew Huberman notes that while ADHD and PTSD can coexist, misdiagnosis can occur, especially when PTSD symptoms mimic ADHD 3. Victor Carrión explains that hypervigilance, a common PTSD symptom, can be adaptive in dangerous situations but becomes maladaptive in safe environments like classrooms 4. This misinterpretation can lead to inappropriate responses from educators and caregivers.

The problem is not the hypervigilance. The problem is knowing when to turn it on and when to turn it off, having the cognitive flexibility.

--- Victor Carrión