ADHD and other Symptoms

Over 80% of children and adults with ADHD have at least one coexisting medical problem. Diseases that occur together are known in the medical community as co morbidities. For the Hyperactive/Impulsive subtype of ADHD the co-morbidity incidence is impressive!! Consider this. Sixty percent of people with the hyperactive, impulsive type of ADHD also have Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and many of these individuals develop Conduct Disorders, thirty percent have a coexisting learning problem such as dyslexia, and a high percentage of people with hyperactive ADHD have symptoms of depression.

The co morbidities of the Primarily Inattentive ADHD subtype are less well understood. It seems that this subtype is associated with an increased risk for anxiety, sleep disorders, learning disorders, and slow cognitive temp but not ODD or conduct disorders. For some individuals, symptoms of ADHD and the co morbid disorder appear to improve with age.

Stephen Plizka, MD, an internationally recognized expert on the clinical management of ADHD, has published a book on the treatment of ADHD and the disorders that are commonly seen with ADHD. The book, Treating ADHD and Comorbid Disorders, outlines the science and treatment of ADHD and the disorders frequently seen in conjunction with this diagnosis.

I feel that this book is important because parents, individuals, and physicians need to seek custom tailored treatments for each person affected with ADHD. Only by utilizing this individual approach can we come closer to fully treating people coping with the multifaceted symptoms of ADHD.