Conduct disorder with and without mania in a referred sample of ADHD children

Abstract

Objective: To test the hypothesis that dysphoric and non-dysphoric types of CD could be distinguished from one another in their patterns of familiality, adversity, and comorbidity. Methods: We examined 140 ADHD and 120 normal controls at baseline and 4 years later using assessments from multiple domains. We compared ADHD subgroups with and without conduct (CD) and bipolar (BPD) disorders on psychiatric outcomes at a 4-year follow-up, familial psychopathology and psychosocial functioning. Results: We found that ADHD children with both disorders had higher familial and personal risk for mood disorders than those with CD only, who had a higher personal risk for antisocial personality disorder. Among ADHD probands, having both CD and BPD was associated with poorer functioning and an increased risk for psychiatric hospitalization. Discussion: Although preliminary, our findings suggest that the distinction between dysphoric and non-dysphoric CD may be clinically meaningful. If confirmed, our findings could have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications for the management of antisocial youth.