If your child breaks a bone, you take him or her for an x-ray. The symptoms are obviously tied to the problem, the diagnosis is straightforward and treatment follows a planned methodology to support healing.

Unfortunately, mental health diagnosis in children is not always straightforward. Many disorders share overlapping symptoms, and no single physical test can provide a clear diagnosis. Therefore, misdiagnosis is common. Even scarier, the wrong treatment plan could actually exacerbate the symptoms of a missed condition.

As the parent of a child with a mental health condition, knowing about common misdiagnoses helps ensure your child is getting the proper care and support. Below is an overview of common childhood mental health misdiagnoses.