It is important when diagnosing geriatric depression that those around the depressed person are able to distinguish what depression truly is, while ensuring it does not become a misdiagnosis of dementia.
The main concern is the possible misdiagnosis of ADHD when a sleep condition is present.
Manic episodes in these age groups are typically characterized by more psychotic features than in adults, which may lead to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia.
Bipolar children are easily distracted, impulsive, and hyperactive, which can lead to a misdiagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Again, a patient who is not deeply in touch with his body and cannot relay all of his symptoms to a doctor may prolong his misdiagnosis.
