The influence of reported ADHD and substance abuse on suicidal ideation in a non-clinical sample of young men.

Julia Huemer,Otto M Lesch,Katrin Skala,Sabine Völkl-Kernstock,Alexander Wascher,Anita Riegler,Henriette Walter

doi:10.1007/s40211-016-0198-6

Julia Huemer, Otto M Lesch + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-016-0198-6

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Journal: Neuropsychiatrie	Publication Date: Sep 1, 2016
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Vienna, Yeshiva University

Abstract

SummaryThis study intended to determine whether former and current ADHD symptomatology is associated with suicidal ideation in a non-clinical sample of 18 year old males. We performed a cross sectional descriptive study of 3280 men during the examination for military service. The investigation included a screening for substance abuse, past (WURS) and current (ADHD symptom checklist) ADHD symptomatology and an interview about suicidal ideations. We found a correlation of suicidal ideations with a history of ADHD symptomatology. ADHD symptoms were strongly consistent over time. These results indicate that a history of (diagnosed or undiagnosed) ADHD could be a predictor for suicidal ideations. Surveying a history of ADHD in primary care might help identify subjects at risk for suicidal tendencies.

Highlights

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic developmental psychiatric disorder affecting 3–12 % of all children and around 1–6 % of adults [7, 15, 49]
While several investigations of the association between ADHD and suicide suggested that the relation was at best modest, and primarily due to ADHD exacerbating the effects of other comorbid conditions [1, 23], recent studies found that there was a strong relation between ADHD and suicide attempts or deaths independent of psychiatric comorbidity [29, 44]
Out of the total sample 2.7 % stated that they have been treated for ADHD and 1.5 % reported that they had at one point received pharmacological treatment for the condition

Summary

Introduction

Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic developmental psychiatric disorder affecting 3–12 % of all children and around 1–6 % of adults [7, 15, 49]. The influence of reported ADHD and substance abuse on suicidal ideation in a non-clinical sample of. An increased prevalence of ideas of death and suicidal ideation [4] as well as attempted and completed suicide [38] in subjects affected by ADHD has been reported by several studies. While several investigations of the association between ADHD and suicide suggested that the relation was at best modest, and primarily due to ADHD exacerbating the effects of other comorbid conditions [1, 23], recent studies found that there was a strong relation between ADHD and suicide attempts or deaths independent of psychiatric comorbidity [29, 44]

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