What Conditions Co-Occur with ADHD?
What Conditions Co-Occur with ADHD?
— Leslie E. Packer, PhD
When two conditions occur together in the same individual, we say they are “comorbid.” If the two conditions tend to occur together more often than would be expected by chance in the population, we say that the conditions are “associated” (with each other).
Certain conditions tend to occur in children and teens with ADHD more than you would expect to see by chance. In clinical settings, the most commonly reported associated problems are:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder
- Fine motor control deficits
- Visual-motor integration deficits and handwriting (graphomotor problems)
- Oppositional-Defiant Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
- Learning disabilities
- Executive Dysfunction
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Tics
It is important to note that the above list is not complete, and there are other problems that also tend to occur at higher rates than normal in youth with ADHD, such as enuresis (bed wetting), substance abuse, and personality disorders. Obtaining a comprehensive evaluation and assessment is crucial.
