D R Downes Consulting

ADHD Pre-screening Assessments & Neurodivergent Coaching Sessions - Remote Access

Is it ADHD... or a trauma response?

A friendly guide to telling look - a likes apart

The two can look like twins at a glance, distractible, restless, big feelings but the why behind them is different. This page unpacks why it’s smart (and kind) to consider trauma before undertaking ADHD assessments and diagnosis.

Trauma doesn’t cause ADHD, but it can amplify ADHD-like experiences. ADHD itself is generally neurodevelopmental condition; trauma responses are the brain’s protective adaptations after overwhelming experiences. They can look similar. Checking for trauma first helps you get the right support (and avoid the wrong fit).

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Before we name it, we ask why. Ruling out (or accounting for) trauma makes ADHD assessments fairer, kinder, and more accurate, so you get support that actually fits you.

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Trauma Response vs ADHD Assessments

Why look for trauma before calling it ADHD?

Similar Symptoms, different Stories

Trauma responses and ADHD can both look like distractibility, restlessness, and emotional ups and downs. The overlap is real—but the root causes differ.

Different Causes

ADHD usually appears in early life with strong genetic and brain-based factors. Trauma responses develop after difficult experiences, as the brain’s way of staying safe.

Different Support

ADHD may respond well to medication, structure, and practical tools. Trauma healing often requires trauma-informed therapy such as EMDR, CBT, or somatic approaches.

Why it matters in ADHD Assessments

Mislabelling trauma as ADHD can delay the right help. Screening for trauma responses first makes ADHD assessments more accurate and care more effective.

Looks similar vs Actually different

Timeline: ADHD traits are usually lifelong; trauma changes often follow a specific event/period.
Triggers: Trauma reactions spike with reminders of danger; ADHD patterns are more constant across contexts.
Attention style: ADHD = wandering focus and hyperfocus. Trauma = hypervigilance or dissociation when not feeling safe.
Body state: Trauma response brings fight/flight/freeze patterns; ADHD arousal is less tied to threat.
Memory & sleep: Trauma may involve intrusive memories & nightmares; ADHD more often forgetfulness & delayed sleep phase.

They can coexist (and often do). Good ADHD assessments look for both—and tailors support accordingly.

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What a thoughtful assessment considers

Full story: Life history, significant events, school/work patterns, strengths, and what’s hard—without blame.
Multiple sources: Subjective, objective, scientific, validated tools and contextual. Self-report + observer input (family/teachers/partners) + rating scales, not just a quick chat.
Rule-outs: Screening for sleep issues, anxiety/depression, PTSD, learning differences, medical factors, and substance effects.
Function, not labels: How attention, organization, and emotion affect daily life—and what supports actually help.

Gentle self-check (not a diagnosis)

Did challenges start early in life and show up everywhere? Leans ADHD.
Did changes follow tough experiences and spike with reminders? Leans trauma response.
Could it be both? Absolutely plenty of people carry both stories.
Use this as a conversation starter with us today.