Loading...
Distinguishing ADHD from bipolar disorder in childhood is clinically difficult. Also, the two conditions are often comorbid; the National Co-morbidity Survey reported ADHD in 21% of adult bipolar patients. The comorbidity is thought to augur a more difficult disease course. To further investigate the impact of this comorbidity, psychiatrists examined 159 patients (mean age, 38) with bipolar disorder in a Swedish outpatient specialty clinic.
Different psychiatrists performed assessments of mood symptoms and of current and past ADHD. Parental interviews supplemented ADHD assessments, which were conducted only after bipolar disorder was diagnosed and when the patient was euthymic. Twenty-six patients (16%) had ADHD in both childhood and adultho…