I want to begin with an important note: I am not a doctor. What I share here comes from years of observation, walking alongside children and families navigating the complicated mix of trauma and mental health. My hope is not to provide medical advice, but to bring awareness to a pattern I’ve noticed that might help you make sense of your own caregiving journey.

The Overlap Between Trauma and Diagnoses

It’s not uncommon for children who have experienced trauma to receive multiple diagnoses from doctors, therapists, or schools. ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anxiety, Depression—sometimes even Bipolar Disorder—are frequently listed.

The challenge? Trauma can look a lot like these diagnoses. For example:

• ADHD or Trauma? Both can involve trouble focusing, impulsivity, and restlessness.
  
• ODD or Survival Behavior? What looks like defiance may actually be a child’s way of protecting themselves from perceived threats.
  
• Anxiety or Trauma Response? Hypervigilance, sleep issues, and panic can be rooted in past experiences.
  
• Autism or Trauma? Social withdrawal, sensory sensitivities, and rigid behaviors can overlap, though they come from different origins.
  

This doesn’t mean a diagnosis is wrong, just that trauma needs to be considered alongside it.

Why This Matters

When trauma is overlooked, children may be treated only through the lens of a diagnosis. They may be given strategies, therapies, or even medications that don’t fully address the root of their pain. Caregivers may feel frustrated—asking, “Why isn’t this working?”

Recognizing trauma as part of the picture allows for a fuller understanding. Trauma-informed approaches focus on safety, connection, and healing, which can reduce behaviors that might otherwise be mislabeled as defiance or dysfunction.

Holding Both Truths

It’s important to say: some children do have both trauma histories and legitimate diagnoses. For example, a child can have ADHD and a trauma history. These two realities can overlap and even intensify one another.

That’s why the most helpful path is usually not either/or, but both/and:

• Both medical/therapeutic support and trauma-informed care
  
• Both behavior strategies and nurturing relationships
  
• Both structure and nurture/flexibility
  

A Word for You

If you feel confused by your child’s diagnoses, you are not alone. Many caregivers wrestle with this. Remember:

• You don’t have to have all the answers.
  
• It’s okay to ask professionals, “How does trauma factor into this diagnosis?” And don’t be afraid to speak up to the professional, sharing your insights and expertise as your child’s caregiver.
• What matters most is not the label, but how we respond with compassion, structure, and connection.
  

Labels can help explain behaviors, but they don’t define your child. What defines them is their resilience, their story, and the healing journey you’re walking together.