Citation

Berkol TD, Yargiç I, Özyildirim I, Yazici O. Noro Psikiyatr Ars 2014; 51(2): 97-102.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Turk Noro-Psikiyatri Derneginin Yayin Organidir)

DOI

10.4274/npa.y6376

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comorbidity in bipolar patients and to investigate the influence of this comorbidity on the clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder (BD).

METHOD: A total of 135 patients with BD type I and II and BD not otherwise specified were included in this study. First, the Adult ADD/ADHD DSM-IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale (ADHD scale) was administered to all patients, and all of the patients were also interviewed for the diagnosis. Patients who were diagnosed as having ADHD comorbidity (n=23) on the basis of DSM-IV and those who were not diagnosed to have ADHD comorbidity (n=32) were compared in terms of sociodemographic and clinical correlates.

RESULTS: Twenty-three of 135 patients (17%) were found to have ADHD comorbidity. In the ADHD comorbidity group, the level of education and the number of suicide attempts were higher (p=0.011 and 0.043, respectively). Although not significant, sub-threshold depressive symptoms in interepisodic periods, the lifetime history of antidepressant use and the total number of lifetime depressive episodes tended to be more frequent in bipolar disorder with ADHD comorbidity group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION: Bipolar disorder has a frequent comorbidity with ADHD, and contrary to expectations, it might be related to the depressive aspect, rather than the manic aspect, of bipolar disorder. Early diagnosis of ADHD comorbidity in bipolar patients mimight help to prevent serious risk factors. © Archives of Neuropsychiatry.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; male; Comorbidity; bipolar disorder; Bipolar disorder; depression; prevalence; Depressive symptoms; drug use; suicide attempt; comorbidity; article; major clinical study; controlled study; antidepressant agent; clinical feature; demography; bipolar I disorder; bipolar II disorder; attention deficit disorder; DSM-IV; educational status; bipolar mania; patient history of therapy; Adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder