Anxiety in young people with ADHD: clinical and self-report outcomes

Tracey W Tsang; Michael R Kohn; Daryl Efron; Simon D Clarke; C Richard Clark; Christopher Lamb; Leanne M Williams

doi:10.1177/1087054712446830

Anxiety in young people with ADHD: clinical and self-report outcomes

J Atten Disord. 2015 Jan;19(1):18-26. doi: 10.1177/1087054712446830. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Authors

Tracey W Tsang¹, Michael R Kohn², Daryl Efron³, Simon D Clarke⁴, C Richard Clark⁵, Christopher Lamb⁶, Leanne M Williams¹

Affiliations

¹ Brain Dynamics Centre, Sydney Medical School-Westmead and Westmead Millennium Institute, New South Wales, Australia University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Brain Dynamics Centre, Sydney Medical School-Westmead and Westmead Millennium Institute, New South Wales, Australia Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia The Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia michaek2@chw.edu.au.
³ Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Brain Dynamics Centre, Sydney Medical School-Westmead and Westmead Millennium Institute, New South Wales, Australia Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia The Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
⁵ Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia Brain Health Clinics, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
⁶ Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

PMID: 22713359
DOI: 10.1177/1087054712446830

Abstract

Objective: (a) To determine the prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorder in ADHD, defined by diagnostic criteria and (b) to compare anxiety as reported by parents and participants with clinician assessment.

Method: Children with ADHD were assessed for comorbid anxiety disorder using the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule for Children. Parent report (Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long version) and self-report (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Brain Resource Inventory for Screening Cases-Child version) scales were used to assess anxiety. The ADHD-Rating Scale IV was used to measure ADHD symptoms.

Results: Of 134 participants (11.0 ± 2.6 years), 31.3% had comorbid anxiety disorder. Comorbid anxiety disorder was associated with greater severity of ADHD. Anxiety symptoms from parent reports (p < .05) but not from child/self-report (p > .05) correlated with clinician assessment.

Conclusion: Assessment for comorbid anxiety disorder and inclusion of parent rating in this assessment are important components of ADHD treatment in children and adolescents.

Keywords: ADHD; adolescents; comorbidity.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis*
Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology*
Anxiety Disorders / psychology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
Child
Comorbidity
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Humans
Interview, Psychological
Male
Parents
Prevalence
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Self Report
Severity of Illness Index