ADD ADHD-Related Conditions

Accompanying Disorders

ADHD is commonly accompanied by other disorders, which can exacerbate its symptoms. Seventy percent of those with ADHD have a co-occurring condition. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies the following disorders that can accompany ADHD:

Learning Disabilities Twenty to 30 percent of children with ADHD also have learning disabilities. In the preschool years, these children may have trouble understanding or expressing themselves in words. As they get older, they can have difficulty writing, reading, spelling, and doing arithmetic.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Approximately 30 to 50 percent of children with ADHD, mostly boys, have oppositional defiant disorder. This is characterized by defiance, belligerence, outbursts, stubbornness, and a refusal to obey.

Conduct Disorder About 20 to 40 percent of ADHD children may develop conduct disorder as older children or teenagers. These young people lie, steal, fight, and commit crimes. They are also more likely to become substance abusers.

Tourette Syndrome Tourette Syndrome is an uncommon neurological disorder that typically occurs in people with ADHD. People with this syndrome have nervous tics such as blinking, twitching, grimacing, throat-clearing, sniffing, snorting, or barking out words.

Anxiety and Depression Anxiety and depression can accompany ADHD and can be exacerbated by the personal, social, academic, and/or professional problems of ADHD.

Bipolar Disorder It is not clear how many children with ADHD also have bipolar disorder, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two conditions among children. Bipolar disorder in children is characterized by erratic moods and a combination of elation, irritability, and depression.

Substance Abuse People with ADHD are six times more likely than other people to have a substance abuse problem.