Comorbidity in Child Psychiatric Diagnosis

Abstract

In this chapter the authors provide a discussion of the very difficult concept of comorbidity in child and adolescent psychiatric diagnosis. Comorbidity can imply deficits with the diagnostic system including but not limited to unrealistic diagnostic criteria. This issue is central to many debates about child and adolescent psychiatric diagnosis. The authors use ADHD as a disorder which exemplifies comorbidities. They emphasize potential ethical consequences of comorbidity related to polypharmacy and the classification system.