Practice in Action: Diagnosing Differentially

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of differential diagnosis in mental health, highlighting the similarities between various conditions and the importance of asking the right questions.

What happens when the symptoms fit… but the diagnosis doesn’t? In this episode of Psyched to Practice, Paul Wagner and Ray Christner break down the messy reality of differential diagnosis and why so many mental health conditions can look nearly identical on the surface. From ADHD and anxiety to autism, depression, sleep problems, medical conditions, and substance use, they explore how clinicians can avoid jumping to conclusions and start asking better questions. Ray shares practical ways to r...

People in this episode

Hosts: Paul Wagner, Ray Christner

Topics covered

• differential diagnosis
• mental health conditions
• ADHD
• anxiety
• autism
• depression
• clinical practice

Keywords

• differential diagnosis
• mental health
• ADHD
• anxiety
• autism
• depression
• clinical questions

More episodes of Psyched to Practice

• Practice in Action: Boundaries vs Avoidance · June 12, 2026 · 33 min
• Masters in Practice: Prolonged Exposure for PTSD: Innovations to Improve Access, Engagement, and Outcomes · May 15, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Practice in Action: It's the Final (School Year) Countdown! · May 1, 2026 · 54 min
• Masters in Practice: Real Skills for Real Life, DBT for Everyday Living w/ Dr. Jesse Finkelstein · April 17, 2026 · 60 min
• Masters in Practice: School Refusal Behavior & Family Collaboration w/ Tom Brant, Eric Elias, & Courtney Huguenin · April 3, 2026 · 1h 6m
• Practice in Action: Turning Teens Towards Social Media Literacy · March 20, 2026 · 1h 15m