
Research view
Title: | Comorbid anxiety in children with attention-deficits hyperactive disorder: a descriptive study |
Author: | Ghada A.M. Hassan, Doaa Hwedi, Eman Shorub, Doha Al Serafi and Shimaa Sayed |
Abstract: |
Background
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a relatively common psychiatric
disorder with higher rates of comorbidity especially with neurotic disorders. About
25–45% of ADHD children have comorbid anxiety disorders, but the correlation and
complex interplay between both is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to
assess the rate of anxiety disorders in a clinical referred sample of children with ADHD
and moreover, to assess clinical characteristics and possible comorbidities in those
group.
Methodology
Seventy children with ADHD were investigated with a semistructured interview,
complemented by psychiatrists with the children and their parents. Their IQ was
calculated with Wechsler intelligence scale for children (WISC-III). Mini International
Neuropsychiatry Interview for children and adolescent (MINI-KID) was used to prove
the diagnosis of ADHD and anxiety disorders. Conner’s scale and manifest anxiety
scale were used to assess the ADHD symptoms profile and severity of anxiety
symptoms, respectively.
Results
After exclusion of overlapping symptoms between ADHD and anxiety disorder, 51.4%
of the sample had anxiety disorders, whereas 34.3% depression was found in the
sample. The most frequent anxiety disorder was generalized anxiety disorder followed
by social anxiety disorder as it was 38.6 and 34.3%, respectively, whereas the least
frequent was that of obsessive compulsive disorder (2.9%). Furthermore, among all
ADHD symptoms only anxious/shy dimension could predict presence of comorbid
anxiety as a P value of 0.017.
Conclusion
Children with ADHD seem to be more prone to comorbid anxiety disorders, at least in
clinical samples referred to specialized units.
Keywords:
anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, comorbidity, depression, Egyptian
sample
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Journal: | Middle East Current Psychiatry 2015, 22:158–163 |
Text: | |
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