Prevalence of Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders in Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with other psychological problems. Objectives: The present study aimed to study the prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with ADHD who admitted to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive/analytic cross-sectional study carried out on 118 outpatient children and adolescents who were selected by convenient sampling. The data were collected using the questionnaire, designed by authors, and were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of comorbid disorders were as follows: anxiety disorders (48.3%); depression (20.33%); bipolar disorder (17.79%); obsessive-compulsive (47.45%); tic and tourette (35.59%), oppositional defiant disorder (43.22%); conduct disorder (11.01%); urinary incontinence (58.47%); communication disorder (9.32%); and learning disorder (21.18%). There was no significant difference between females and males with respect to the prevalence of comorbid disorders. Conclusions: Similar to previous studies, we found some comorbid psychiatric disorders with ADHD. The treatment of the disorder can be improved, by more attention to comorbid psychiatric disorders, early diagnosis of them, and using distinct and specific treatment for everyone.