Question: Thanks for doing this—I'm looking forward to reading through all the posts.
  
  Can you recommend any resources that are helpful in untangling ADHD from CPTSD? At times I have trouble distinguishing between what may be a CPTSD response/behavior or an ADHD symptom. Hoping to connect with a therapist soon who can work through all this with me, but any reading material or other resources would be appreciated in the meantime.
Answer: When a person has two disorders the way to 'disentangle' symptoms is to keep in mind how each disorder is defined in the diagnostic manual.  Nightmares are a symptom of PTSD, not ADHD, for example.  The only symptom that the two share is "Difficulty Concentrating".   Some symptoms, like "risky behaviors" are a symptom of PTSD only but are seen in ADHD frequently (although not a diagnostic symptom).  That make disentangling difficult.   In these cases, I recommend that clinicians figure out which set of symptoms is the most serious and to treat that first.  When that is successful they can see what disorders remain and treat them accordingly.
content: Q: Thanks for doing this—I'm looking forward to reading through all the posts.
  
  Can you recommend any resources that are helpful in untangling ADHD from CPTSD? At times I have trouble distinguishing between what may be a CPTSD response/behavior or an ADHD symptom. Hoping to connect with a therapist soon who can work through all this with me, but any reading material or other resources would be appreciated in the meantime.
   Ans: When a person has two disorders the way to 'disentangle' symptoms is to keep in mind how each disorder is defined in the diagnostic manual.  Nightmares are a symptom of PTSD, not ADHD, for example.  The only symptom that the two share is "Difficulty Concentrating".   Some symptoms, like "risky behaviors" are a symptom of PTSD only but are seen in ADHD frequently (although not a diagnostic symptom).  That make disentangling difficult.   In these cases, I recommend that clinicians figure out which set of symptoms is the most serious and to treat that first.  When that is successful they can see what disorders remain and treat them accordingly.