ADHD-Updates on Co-Morbidity

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ADHD – Recent Updates on Co-morbidity

May 2004 Volume I Issue V

Statement: My intent in this newsletter is to express as quickly as possible my own beliefs and opinions on matters. I have no problems with people who disagree with my opinion and have even been swayed to rethink my position from time to time.

I wanted to let you know that our book many years in the making is still nearing completion, it is authored by me and Robert Eme Ph.D. and will be titled “Spinning out of control- ADHD and the Criminal Justice System.” It is designed for the police, jails, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, probation, prisons, halfway houses and parole officials. To learn more and get updates click here. Robert Eme e-mail is reme@argosyu.edu http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com/book.asp

Rather than my normal topic based letter I wanted to let you in on a few of the many highlights of the ADDA conference held in St. Louis May 13-16, 2004. Although like any conference you cannot go to all the break out sessions the ones I did go to were all good. We also had excellent Main Speakers such as Thomas E. Brown Ph.D., Michele Novotni Ph.D. (Outgoing President), David Giwerc (Incoming President), Edward Hallowell M.D. of “Driven to Distraction” fame, Thomas Phelan Ph.D. (1-2-3 Magic) and Sari Solden MS, LMFT, LPC who is author of “Women with Attention Deficit Disorder” and “Journeys through ADDulthood.” Join ADDA at www.add.org

Dr. Brown presented information on the May 1, 2004 release of the “National Co morbidity Survey.” This survey involved face to face interviews with 9,282 families for two hours. It replicated a study done ten years earlier. Some of the statistics were very enlightening as they relate to ADHD. Bear with me on this information as it is not long and is really interesting if you give it some thought.

In the area of Mood it was found that in the last 12 months 25.5 % of persons with full DSM-IV criteria ADHD have also suffered from full DSM-IV criteria for Mood disorder. This is an odds ratio of 3.5 the normal population. When questioned over their lifetime experience 45.4 % reported suffering from full DSM-IV criteria Mood Disorder. This is an odds ratio of 3.0 the normal population.

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In the area of Anxiety it was found that in the last 12 months 47% of persons with full DSM-IV criteria ADHD also suffered from full DSM-IV criteria for Anxiety disorder. This is an odds ratio of 3.4 the normal population. When questioned over their lifetime experience 59% reported suffering from full DSM-IV criteria for Anxiety disorder. This is an odds ratio of 3.2 the normal population.

In the area of Substance Abuse it was found that in the last 12 months 14.7% of persons with full DSM-IV criteria for ADHD have also suffered from full DSM-IV criteria for Substance Abuse. This is an odds ratio of 2.8 the normal population. When questioned over their lifetime experience 35.8% reported suffering full DSM-IV criteria for Substance abuse. This is an odds ratio of 2.8 the normal population.

In the area of Impulse Disorder it was found that in the last 12 months 35% of persons with full DSM-IV criteria for ADHD have also suffered from full DSM-IV criteria for Impulse disorder. This is an odds ratio of 5.6 the normal population. When questioned over their lifetime experience 69.8% reported suffering full DSM-IV criteria for Impulse Disorder. This is an odds ratio of 5.9 the normal population.

Finally in the Category of All Psychiatric Disorders which includes those mentioned and others in the DSM-IV the results were pretty astonishing. Over the previous 12 month period persons with full DSM-IV criteria for ADHD 66.9% reported also meeting full DSM-IV criteria for one or more other Psychiatric Disorders. This is an odd ratio of 4.2 the normal population. When questioned over their lifetime experience 88.6% reported suffering full criteria DSM-IV for one or more other Psychiatric disorders. This is an odds ration of 6.9 the normal population.

In other words over their lifetime a person meeting DSM-IV criteria for ADHD is 6.9 times more likely to have one or more comorbid psychiatric disorders that also meet DSM-IV criteria. Pretty amazing information when you think about it.

Dr. Brown emphasized that ADHD is NOT A SIMPLE PROBLEM but rather a very complex impairment of the management system of the brain.

He also says that since emotion is such a key element in ADHD that he feels it should be included in the next DSM criteria.

If you have any comments feel free to e-mail me a -short note- (if possible). I have ADHD too so I know how difficult it is to write short notes. addcorridorcoach@aol.com

FIRST EVER Poster devoted to ADHD view at: http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com/poster.asp

If you know on anyone who might like this newsletter please forward it to them and tell them to go to my web site http://www.addcorridorcoaching.com and sign up.

Have a great month. Talk to you soon.

Patrick J. Hurley