Laura Masi
ADHD is a common disorder for children and is highly comorbid with a number of psychiatric and somatic disorders, which leads to important social impacts. Among common comorbid psychiatric disorders, mood, anxiety and conduct disorders are among the most frequently encountered in clinical practice. Furthermore, there is also some overlap between ADHD and addictive behavior, OCD, tics sleeping disorder and specific learning disorder. Likewise, autistic spectrum disorder and eating disorder are more and more recognized as comorbid entities. Lastly, links with PTSD and attachment disorder have been noted. Other medical issues should also be considered in the assessment of ADHD: brain injury, epilepsy and obesity for example. ADHD children with a co-occurring condition are severely impaired and treatment is more complex. A better comprehension of the high rates of comorbidities with ADHD is necessary to optimize treatment of this condition and prevent some of the negative outcomes associated with comorbid ADHD.
