MedifocusHealth

Approximately 2 out of 3 children/adolescents with ADHD have one or more coexisting conditions, including:

• Learning disabilities - learning disorders may be found in up to 50% of children with ADHD according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are a source of extreme frustration for affected children. The most common learning disabilities include problems with reading (dyslexia) and handwriting. It is important to distinguish which children actually suffer from learning disabilities and those for whom learning is difficult because of symptoms of ADHD such as distractibility, difficulty sitting still, disorganization, and difficulty with reasoning (executive function).

• Anxiety disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder) - found in up to 25% of children. Includes fear or panic and excessive worrying that result in racing heartbeat, sweating, diarrhea, or stomach pains. Anxiety disorders are most common in children with inattentive and combined ADHD. The incidence of anxiety disorders increases to 33% of adolescents with ADHD and even higher rates in adults.

• Mood disorders (such as depression) - found in up to 18% of children, mostly in those with the inattentive subtype of ADHD. They experience feelings of social isolation, inadequacy, low self esteem, social problems, or being failures in school. These feelings typically increase during adolescence (estimates are about 48% of children 9-16 years old) and adulthood. The presence of depression in children places them at increased risk for poor outcome later in life and when present during adolescent years, is associated with a higher risk of suicide. Mood disorders are most often seen in children with inattentive and combined ADHD.

• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) - the AACAP estimates that 54-84% of children and adolescents with ADHD may meet the criteria for ODD. It is manifested in stubbornness, acts of defiance, rule breaking, temper outbursts, arguing with adults and refusing to comply, deliberately annoying others, and often blaming others for their mistakes or poor behavior. It usually starts before 8 years old but not later than early adolescence. The behavior is most typically seen when the child/adolescent interacts with people who are familiar to them, such as a parent or teacher. It is behavior that is also seen in many non-ADHD children but over and above the degree that is considered acceptable. Oppositional defiant disorder is typically seen most often in children with combined hyperactivity-impulsivity subtypes of ADHD.

• Conduct Disorder (CD) - this is a serious form of antisocial behavior and is more severe than ODD. According to the National Institutes of Health, 20-40% of children/adolescents with ADHD may develop conduct disorder and the AACAP notes that a significant proportion of children with ODD develop conduct disorder. Behaviors take place in any setting and are highly disruptive. Conduct disorder is manifested by severe hostility and aggression; lying, stealing, bullying others, aggression towards people and/or animals, breaking into homes, destroying property, running away from home, and delinquency. Children with CD are more likely to get into trouble with authorities and serve jail time. They are also at high risk for drug abuse. In adults, CD may manifest as antisocial personality disorder. Children with CD continue to have more problems into adulthood than children who have ADHD alone.