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Comorbidity between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder in a specialized mood

Nader Perroud1, Paolo Cordera2, Julien Zimmermann2

  • 1Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Service of Psychiatric Specialties, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Journal of Affective Disorders
|July 23, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is present in over 20% of Bipolar Disorder (BD) patients, worsening BD severity. ADHD diagnosis requires careful clinical assessment beyond screening tools in BD populations.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Mood Disorders

Background:

  • Comorbidity of ADHD and Bipolar Disorder (BD) is linked to increased BD severity.
  • Understanding this comorbidity is crucial for effective treatment in mood disorder clinics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of comorbid ADHD in a BD patient cohort.
  • To evaluate the impact of ADHD on BD symptom severity and clinical presentation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 138 BD patients' medical records.
  • Screening using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) followed by clinical assessment by a specialist.
  • Comparison of clinical characteristics between comorbid ADHD-BD subjects and BD-only subjects.

Main Results:

  • Over 20% of BD patients were diagnosed with ADHD.
  • ADHD-BD subjects exhibited earlier BD onset, more depressive episodes, and higher rates of anxiety, substance use disorders, borderline personality traits, and childhood emotional abuse.
  • The ASRS-v1.1 showed a high false-positive rate (over 40%) in this population.

Conclusions:

  • ADHD is a significant comorbidity in BD, associated with poorer outcomes and potentially linked to early life stress.
  • The ASRS-v1.1 requires cautious use in BD patients due to potential over-screening.
  • Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between ADHD, BD, and early life experiences.
Abstract

Keywords:
ADHDBipolar disorderPsychiatry

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