Treating common psychiatric disorders associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often occurs along with other psychiatric disorders, with estimated comorbidity rates of 50 – 90%. Comorbidity greatly influences presentation, diagnosis and prognosis, complicates treatment and significantly increases the morbidity and disease burden of ADHD. Commonly co-occurring psychiatric disorders are disruptive behavior disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and substance use disorders. This article provides a brief review of effective strategies for treating the most common psychiatric disorders associated with ADHD. This paper also discusses knowledge gaps in the understanding of treatment of comorbid disorders associated with ADHD, and directions for future research.

Keywords::

• ADHD
• comorbidity

Disclosure

SV Faraone receives research support from the following sources: McNeil Pediatrics, Eli Lilly & Company, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Development and the National Institute of Neurological Disease and Stroke. SV Faraone is a speaker for the following speaker’s bureaus: Eli Lilli & Company, McNeil Pediatrics, Cephalon, Novartis and Shire Laboratories. SV Faraone has had an advisory or consulting relationship with the following pharmaceutical companies: McNeil Pediatrics, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Shire Laboratories, Cephalon, Novartis and Eli Lilly & Company. M Dewan has received a grant from McNeil Pediatrics.