What If We Don’t Agree on a Diagnosis? Navigating Differences with Your Psychiatric Provider
By Tannia Salazar, APRN | Rooted in Serenity Behavioral Health
In mental health care, trust is built on collaboration. At Rooted in Serenity, we believe your voice matters deeply in your healing journey—and that includes how we talk about diagnosis.
But sometimes, there can be a disconnect. Maybe you walked into an appointment thinking it might be ADHD, but your provider is leaning toward anxiety. Or you suspect past trauma is playing a bigger role than what’s being acknowledged. These moments can be confusing, frustrating, or even discouraging. So let’s talk about it.
This post is here to help you understand why diagnostic disagreements happen, what they mean (and don’t mean), and how to move forward in a way that keeps you feeling informed and empowered.
You’re Not Being “Difficult” for Asking Questions
Let’s start here: it’s okay to have questions. Mental health is deeply personal, and you are allowed to want your experience to be accurately understood.
Disagreement doesn’t mean you’re being oppositional or that your concerns are invalid. On the contrary—it shows that you’re engaged and self-aware. That’s a strength in any healing process.
Why Diagnoses Can Vary
Mental health is rarely black-and-white. Many conditions share overlapping symptoms, especially when it comes to things like:
Trouble focusing
Low motivation or energy
Emotional reactivity
Sleep and appetite changes
Brain fog or forgetfulness
For example:
ADHD and anxiety can both impact focus and restlessness
Depression and burnout may feel identical, especially in high-functioning adults
Trauma symptoms can mimic mood or personality disorders
The diagnostic process isn’t always about finding a perfect label—it’s about developing a working understanding of what’s going on, and using that to guide treatment.
Diagnosis Takes Time—And That’s Okay
In psychiatry, it’s not always possible (or helpful) to define everything in a single session. Some diagnoses take time to uncover—especially when symptoms overlap or shift depending on life circumstances, trauma history, or stress levels.
It’s also common to have more than one diagnosis, or to experience a shift in understanding over time. For example, someone might initially be treated for anxiety, and later explore whether ADHD or trauma is part of the picture too. That’s not a failure—it’s part of a thoughtful, evolving approach to care.
We don’t rush to label. We stay curious, compassionate, and open to adjusting as we learn more about you together.
Why Your Provider Might Focus on Different Symptoms Than You Expected
It’s completely valid to come into an appointment with a specific concern—like ADHD, PMDD, or trauma—and feel caught off guard when your provider emphasizes something else, like anxiety or mood symptoms.
That doesn’t mean your concerns are being dismissed. Often, clinicians are trained to prioritize symptoms based on what seems most impairing, urgent, or clinically significant in that moment. For example:
A provider might focus on stabilizing sleep and panic attacks before digging into long-standing trauma.
They may want to rule out medical causes for fatigue before considering ADHD.
Or they may explore depression first because it’s impacting multiple areas of functioning.
This doesn’t mean your original concern is being ignored—it means we’re trying to build a strong foundation for treatment. And your insight is still essential to that process.
If You Feel Misunderstood, Here’s What You Can Do
If something doesn’t sit right with you after a session, you’re absolutely allowed to speak up.
Try:
Asking for clarification: “Can you walk me through how you landed on that diagnosis?”
Sharing your perspective: “I’ve always wondered if this might be ADHD because of [symptoms or patterns].”
Mentioning prior evaluations: “A past provider mentioned trauma—should we explore that more?”
A good provider will take your concerns seriously and help you weigh the possibilities together.
Diagnosis Is a Tool, Not a Verdict
It’s worth remembering: a diagnosis is not a life sentence or a rigid box. It’s a starting point. Sometimes we begin with one idea and revise it as more information emerges. That’s a normal, even healthy, part of psychiatric care.
And more importantly—a diagnosis is only one part of your care.
We’re focused on how you’re feeling, what’s getting in the way of your day-to-day life, and how we can help you feel better. That may or may not involve changing the label—but it will always involve listening.
How We Approach It at Rooted in Serenity
Here’s what you can expect in our care:
🌿 Collaborative Conversations – We view you as the expert on your own experience.
🌿 Revisiting Diagnoses Over Time – As symptoms evolve or patterns become clearer, so can our understanding.
🌿 Trauma-Informed Framework – We hold space for the impact of lived experience and cultural context.
🌿 Judgment-Free Exploration – You’re safe to ask questions, change your mind, or just be uncertain.
You Deserve to Feel Heard—Not Dismissed
If you’ve ever left a provider’s office feeling dismissed or misunderstood, you’re not alone. And it’s okay to want something different this time.
At Rooted in Serenity, we welcome your questions. Your insight. Your story. We may not always agree on everything at first—but we’ll always hold space for thoughtful, respectful dialogue. That’s how healing begins.
Considering a Fresh Start?
We’re currently accepting new adult clients across Connecticut for telehealth psychiatric medication management. If you’re seeking a grounded, collaborative space to explore your mental health—whether you’ve been diagnosed before or are just beginning—you're welcome here 💚
🪴 Services
❓ FAQ
🌿 Tannia Salazar, APRN is the founder of Rooted in Serenity Behavioral Health LLC, offering telepsychiatry services across Connecticut for adults navigating anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and more.
