Often, an individual who is negotiating with ADHD in their life will also experience other coexisting conditions, or comorbidity. The rate of occurence for various other conditions can be surprisingly high and can make diagnosis and treatment more difficult. It is believed that as many as two thirds of children with ADHD have at least one other coexisting condition.
In an effort to inform parents, educators and others involved in maintaining the well-being of children in their care, we will give a very brief overview of some common coexisting conditions of ADHD.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder:
It is estimated that up to 40% of individuals who have ADHD also present symptoms of Oppositional Defiant Disorder. This can take form in resisting/resenting authority figures, being argumentative and deliberately annoying others, as some examples.
Conduct Disorder:
Conduct Disorder is found to coexist in 25% of children, 45-50% of adolescents and 20-25% of adults. Some presentations of Conduct Disorder are aggression towards people or animals, property destruction, stealing from others and running away from home. If ignored, this can often result in legal difficulties down the road.
Anxiety Disorders:
As much as 30% of children who are dealing with ADHD are also experiencing Anxiety Disorders. Frequency in adults is less clear with estimates ranging from 25% to 40%. Children with Anxiety Disorders have extreme feelings of fear, worry or panic that make it extremely difficult to function. These disorders can produce very real physical symptoms such as racing heart/pulse, sweating, diarrhea and nausea.
Mood Disorders:
This effects about 18% of children with ADHD. Often, there is evidence of a family history of these conditions. Frequently crying, with no apparent reason, or becoming easily irritated with others are some likely clues.
Depression:
Varying estimates, between 10 and 30%, have been made as to the number of children with ADHD who also are showing signs of depression. In adults with ADHD, it seems to worsen, with estimates of about 47% presenting. Repeated negative social experiences can significantly damage self-esteem, leaving the child, or adult, discouraged and in despair.
Tics or Tourette Syndrome:
Less than 10% of those with ADHD also present signs of Tics or Tourette Syndrome. Conversely, approximately 60% of those with Tourette Syndrome also have ADHD.
Learning Disabilities:
Learning disabilities are conditions that make it difficult for a child to master skills such as math or reading. Although ADHD is not a learning disability, it can make it hard for a child to thrive in school. Up to 50% of children with ADHD also have some form of learning disorder.
As I am not even remotely close to being a doctor, I will leave the reccomended treatments and therapies to brighter minds. Instead, the intention here is to raise awareness that these coexisting conditions not only exist, but occur quite frequently. If we are watchful, maybe someone we are close to or working with might benefit by our ability to see the signs as a need for additional help.
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