Aggression in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Research shows that aggression is an important associated feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is important in understanding the impact of the disorder and its treatment. The occurrence of aggressive behavior in combination with ADHD does not appear to be spurious and the severity and/or presence of aggression and ADHD may significantly impact long-term prognosis. This article defines subtypes of aggression in relation to ADHD, identifies individual differences contributing to aggressive behavior in children with ADHD and discusses selected possible underlying mechanisms of aggression in ADHD, as well as current and emerging treatment approaches. Although aggressive behavior in children with ADHD is common, the reasons for this are not yet well understood. Multidisciplinary research should focus on investigating underlying mechanisms related to aggression in ADHD, as well as the utility of various treatment modalities.

Keywords::

• ADHD
• aggression
• children
• comorbidity
• disruptive behavior

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Sara King is a CIHR Training Fellow in the Canadian Child Health Clinician Scientist Program (CCHCSP) in partnership with SickKids Foundation (Toronto, Ontario), Child and Family Research Institute (Vancouver, British Columbia), Women and Children’s Health Research Institute (Edmonton, Alberta) and Manitoba Institute of Child Health (Winnipeg, Manitoba). During the preparation of this manuscript, Daniel Waschbusch was partially supported on US grants from the NIMH (1R34MH085796-01A2, R0MH069614, R34MH080791),IES (R324B06045, R305A080337), DHHS (97YR0017) and NICHD. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.