Comorbidity Of Adult Attention Deficit And Hyperactivity Disorder With Panic Disorder

Abstract

The comorbidity of panic disorder with other psychiatric disorders is prevalent. This study aims to investigate the comorbid Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with panic disorder (PD) in adults.In this study 65 people with a diagnosis of panic disorder and 65 healthy volunteers who admitted to outpatient psychiatry clinic were included. In order to determine the disease severity and current clinical state Panic Agoraphobia Scale was used. Sociodemographic information form, Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and Adult ADHD Diagnosis and Assessment Scale was used. Diagnosis of PD was significantly higher in women. Also it was observed that unemployment was statistically higher in PD group. There was no difference observed in between mean ages, marital status and education level. In patients diagnosed with panic disorder ADHD comorbidity rate was 15,4%. In comorbidity cases subgroups of ADHD was found as; 60% mixed, 20% hyperactivity and impulsivity, 20 % attention deficit dominant type showing statistical significance. In all cases with agoraphobia it was associated with ADHD comorbidity. It was observed that PD comorbid with ADHD was associated with less work continuity than ADHD without PD comorbidity. There was no significant difference in alcohol use among ADHD diagnosed patients in both groups. ADHD diagnosis wasn’t observed in individuals over 40 years of age. In our study comorbidity of PD with ADHD was shown to be high. In all patients with Agorophobia ADHD comorbidity was detected.