Comorbidity of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and overanxious disorder

One hundred seven preadolescent children who meet criteria for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were further diagnosed by structured interview with regard to oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and overanxious disorder (ANX). The ADHD population was subdivided into those with and without a comorbid ANX, and the two ADHD groups were compared with each other and a control group in terms of teacher ratings, behavioral observations during an academic task, and the Inhibition version of the Continuous Performance Test. The results suggested that ADHD/ANX children may be less impulsive and/or hyperactive than those children with ADHD alone though they remain more impaired than controls. There was also a trend for the comorbid group to show fewer conduct disorder symptoms. The implications of comorbidity for the study of both ADHD and ANX are discussed.