Comorbidity of ADHD and Anxiety: From Basic to Applied Research

Abstract

Population, 7 • Research Findings, 10 Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often accompanied by a comorbid disorder. For example, approximately 50% of children with ADHD meet criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD; Newcorn, Halperin, & Miller, 2009). While comorbidity with these disorders is clearly very high, it is also important to note that internalizing disorders such as anxiety disorders are comorbid with ADHD in approximately 30%–40% of clinically referred children (Jarrett, Wolff, & Ollendick, 2007; MTA Cooperative Group, 1999; Tannock, 2009). While this comorbidity is common, only a limited number of studies have examined the characteristics of children with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorders (see Jarrett & Ollendick, 2008, for a recent review), suggesting that greater research is needed in this area. The purpose of this current review is to discuss emerging research on the comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety in terms of both basic and applied research. Following an overview of basic research findings, we discuss an article that we recently published in the Journal of Attention Disorders that examined differences among diagnostic groups consisting of children with only ADHD (ADHD), ADHD plus anxiety disorders (ADHD + ANX), and anxiety disorders only (ANX). Following a review of this study and others, we will discuss important implications of this type of research for the assessment and treatment of children with ADHD and anxiety. We will also review some emerging treatment research for this subgroup and promising avenues for possible future treatment development.