A-164 Processing Speed Differences between Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Groups with and without Co-Morbid Anxiety Diagnoses

Abstract

Abstract Objective: Existing literature has identified deficits in processing speed abilities in those diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) relative to normative data (Kramer et al., 2020; Woods et al., 2002). Furthermore, research has explored the relationship between severe anxiety symptoms and processing speed in numerous populations (Petkus et al., 2005; Vissicchio et al., 2019). As such, anxiety has been demonstrated to further negatively impact processing speed in conditions in which processing speed deficits are classically observed, such as multiple sclerosis (Vissicchio et al., 2019). The current study looks to examine whether there are significant differences in PSI between a group with both ADHD and an anxiety disorder and a group with no co-morbid anxiety disorders. Method: This study uses archival data from a neuropsychology service in a private practice clinic in the Midwest. 112 adult participants were examined in this study. Processing speed was examined using the Processing Speed composite score (PSI) from the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). Co-morbid anxiety disorders were assessed based on the presence of a diagnosed anxiety disorder according to patient records. Results: An independent samples t-test was employed to examine differences in PSI between the group with co-morbid anxiety disorders and ADHD and the group without an anxiety disorder diagnosis. There was no significant difference in PSI between the groups (t = -1.655, p = .10). Conclusion: Overall, there was no significant difference in PSI between groups with co-morbid ADHD and anxiety and one with ADHD alone. Implications and limitations of the current study will be discussed.