Personality comorbidity in adolescent females with ADHD.
Burket RC, Sajid MW, Wasiak M, Myers WC.
BURKET: University of Virginia; SAJID and MYERS: University of Florida; WASIAK:
Northeast Florida State Hospital, MacClenny.
OBJECTIVE:: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common disorder
in adolescents, is associated with extensive comorbid Axis I psychopathology.
However, few studies have addressed Axis I comorbidity in girls with ADHD, and
even fewer have examined comorbid personality disorders in this population. This
pilot study explored personality patterns in psychiatrically hospitalized
adolescent females with ADHD. METHODS:: Thirty-seven adolescent females were
assessed for ADHD using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents
and assigned to groups based on the presence or absence of ADHD. The two groups
(ADHD Group, n = 10; No ADHD Group, n = 27) were compared using the Structured
Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders to assess for coexisting Axis II
disorders. Multiple information sources and clinical corroboration were used to
arrive at "best estimate" diagnoses. RESULTS:: Subjects in the ADHD Group were
found to have significantly more personality disorders than those in the No ADHD
Group (4.5 versus 1.59 diagnoses/subject). Paranoid, histrionic, borderline,
passive-aggressive, and dependent personality disorders were significantly more
frequent in the ADHD group. CONCLUSIONS:: In this study, adolescent girls with
ADHD were more likely to have personality disorders than those without ADHD.
Since extensive personality comorbidity may prolong and complicate treatment,
early and complete identification of these disorders will foster effective
treatment planning.