Adult ADHD and Comorbid Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also known as ADHD  is a  disease that begins in childhood and encompasses symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and may or may persist to adulthood. These symptoms majorly interfere with the regular functioning of individuals at school, at work, and in social situations. ADHD is present in approximately 7% of children and is more common in boys. For a majority of people, the disorder continues into adulthood, by careful management can greatly improve the quality of life for people with ADHD. There are several medical treatments available for ADHD, another approach is to try to control symptoms through home means, such as your diet, nutrition and exercise.  Health, food, and nutrition can make a remarkable difference in the lives of both children and adults who have been diagnosed with ADHD. 

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the adult population is which is more closely associated with comorbid psychiatric diseases that complicate its recognition, diagnosis, treatment and management.

Psychiatric comorbidities are common in many individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder formally called ADHD. And here we have evaluated the effects of medication and childhood ADHD subtypes on psychiatric comorbidities among adults with ADHD as compared to the healthy adult controls. Drug-native adults with ADHD had more comorbidities than treated adults with ADHD and controls. Childhood ADHD-combined many small and large subtypes, relative to the ADHD-inattentive subtype, was mainly associated with higher risks of comorbidities. Current medication treatment was associated with a greater risk for anxiety disorders, and longer treatment duration was associated with lower risks of mood disorders and also sleeping disorders. Our results indicate that no medication treatment, short treatment duration, and childhood ADHD-combined subtype are associated with increased risks for psychiatric comorbidities among major adults with ADHD Disorders.

The prevalence of ADHD In the general adult population is around 2.5% and it is mainly associated with substantial personal and individual burdens. The most frequent comorbid psychopathologies include mood and anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, and also personality disorders. There are strong familiar links and neurobiological similarities between ADHD and the various associated psychiatric comorbidities. The overlapping symptoms between ADHD and comorbid psychopathologies represent challenges for some Therapeutic diagnoses and treatments. Guidelines recommend that when ADHD coexists with other psychopathologies in adults, the most impairing condition should generally be generally treated first.

Early recognition and treatment of ADHD and its comorbidities have the potential to change the trajectory of psychiatric morbidity later in the life of a person. The use of validated assessment scales and high-yield clinical questions can help identify adults with ADHD who could potentially benefit from evidence-based management techniques.

The major Common ADHD Comorbidity Categories are 

The three categories of comorbid conditions most commonly diagnosed with ADHD all occur along a spectrum of severity of the disease it ranging from mild to serious. Their symptoms are as varied as their causes, which range from gene factors to exposure to environmental toxins to prenatal tension, and beyond.

ADHD Comorbidity Cortical wiring problems

Cortical writing problems are mostly caused by structural abnormalities in the cerebral cortex, the brain region responsible for very high-level brain functions. 

• The Cortical wiring problems include:
• Learning disabilities
• Language disabilities
• Fine and gross motor difficulties
• Executive function difficulties

Cortical wiring problems are treated in accordance with academic accommodations and lifestyle changes. Generally, They do not respond to medication.

ADHD Comorbidity Problems regulating emotions

Problems regulating emotions include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders (including panic attacks)
• Anger-control problems such as intermittent explosive disorder or the oppositional defiant disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder