Comorbidity of ADHD and Anxiety Disorders in School-Age Children: Impact on Sleep and Response to a Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment

J Atten Disord. 2018 Mar;22(5):414-424. doi: 10.1177/1087054715605914. Epub 2015 Sep 22.

Abstract

Objective: This exploratory study measured the impact of comorbid anxiety disorders on sleep in children with ADHD and tested the effect of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on these measures.

Method: Fifty-seven children (8-12 years old) were assessed with the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Four groups were formed: ADHD ( n = 20), ADHD + Anxiety ( n = 20), Anxiety ( n = 8), and Healthy Controls ( n = 9). A subgroup of 10 children with ADHD + Anxiety underwent CBT for anxiety.

Results: The results showed that sleep difficulties were better associated with anxiety than with ADHD. CBT reduced sleep onset latency and marginally decreased the total amount of sleep problems.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that comorbid anxiety in ADHD children is linked with specific sleep disturbances and is sensitive to CBT aimed at reducing anxiety.

Keywords: ADD/ADHD; behavior therapy; children; comorbid anxiety; sleep disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety Disorders / complications
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy*
  • Child
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schools
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / complications*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome

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