Many disorders share morbidity with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or may involve symptoms of impulsivity, hyperactivity, or inattention that must be differentiated from ADHD as a primary diagnosis.

Several physical illnesses and some medications can exacerbate or cause symptoms of ADHD. Among these are:

• hearing or vision deficits
• seizures
• sleep disorders
• medications such as phenobarbital, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g., fluoxetine, theophylline)

Adapted from: Hirsch GS and Koplewicz HS. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In: Devinsky O and Westbrook LE, eds. Epilepsy and Developmental Disabilities. Boston: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2001;187–204.
With permission from Elsevier (www.elsevier.com).
Reviewed and revised June 2004 by Steven C. Schachter, MD, epilepsy.com Editorial Board.