Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, can coexist with other serious disorders. The accompanying disorders may result from the difficulties ADHD patients have in coping with the disability. Characteristics involved with ADHD include difficulty in paying attention, an inability to control behavior or being hyperactive. Some people with ADHD exhibit more hyperactive or impulsive behavior and others may become predominantly inattentive. In most cases, a combination of symptoms arises from ADHD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Oppositional-Defiant Disorder
Some children diagnosed with ADHD also have a condition called oppositional-defiant disorder. They may develop hostile feelings toward authority figures and display a pattern of negative and defiant behavior. Aggression, temper tantrums and antisocial behavior may occur, according to the University of Maryland Medial Center. Many children with the disorder later have anxiety disorders or depression and may develop conduct disorder.
Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder results in antisocial behavior that includes fighting, harming people or animals, stealing and destruction of property, the MayoClinic explains. The social problems interfere with peer relationships for people with ADHD. Children with inattentive ADHD tend to withdraw from others. Aggression found in people with impulsive-hyperactive ADHD often results in rejection by peers.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, accompany ADHD for many people. Children and adults with ADHD frequently suffer from depression. Anxiety disorders may begin from childhood because ADHD causes constant worry and nervousness. Some characteristics of ADHD appear in young children who experience early traumatic events in childhood that include sexual or physical abuse and neglect, according to the University of Maryland. Impulsivity, emotional outbursts and defiant behavior may occur, suggesting a link between anxiety and ADHD. Proper treatment of ADHD may relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Pervasive Development
Children with ADHD may act out symptoms similar to autistic behavior. Repetitive statements, slow social development, speech difficulties and muscle coordination problems may occur. The condition, called pervasive developmental disorder, can be treated with antidepressants or stimulants, the University of Maryland states. Although it is a serious disorder, it occurs rarely.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder may coexist in children with ADHD. Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, has symptoms that include extreme mood swings making people feel overly enthusiastic or energetic for short periods of time and extremely depressed at other times. Children who have mania and ADHD tend to have more aggressive and emotional problems than people with ADHD alone. ADHD may be a signal for bipolar disorder later on for some children.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Other Disorders Associated with ADHD
- MayoClinic.com: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children-Complications
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)- Other Concerns & Conditions
