Psychiatric Comorbidity in the Subtypes of ADHD in Children and Adolescents with ADHD According to DSM-IV

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence rate of psychiatric comorbidity in children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was 60-80%. The objective of this study was to examine comorbid disorders associated with ADHD and the subtypes of ADHD in children and adolescents with the diagnosis of ADHD.

Method: The study included 326 children and adolescents aged between 8-15 years who were diagnosed with ADHD for the first time as a result of an interview by psychiatry, in a child adolescent psychiatry clinic in Izmir. Sociodemographic form, Turgay DSM-IV Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale and Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children Present and Lifetime version were used to assess psychiatric comorbidity.

Results: The comorbidities accompanied ADHD were disruptive behavior disorder (28.8%), depressive disorder (13.2%), obsessive-compulsive disorder (9.5%) and anxiety disorder (6.1%), in respectively. When the subtypes of ADHD were assessed according to psychiatric comorbidity, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder were frequently seen with ADHD combined type, whereas anxiety disorder was seen more frequent in children diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type.

Discussion: Especially the presents of comorbidities in cases with ADHD Combined type increases the severity of disease, causes to retard in responses to treatment and exacerbates prognosis. Therefore, it is very important to determine which psychiatric diagnosis accompany with ADHD.