
Examining the Relationship Between ADHD and Psychotic Disorders
There is evidence for overlapping risk factors and symptomatology between ADHD and psychotic disorders. New research investigates the association between ADHD during childhood and the subsequent risk of developing a psychotic disorder.
RESEARCH UPDATE
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently
There is also an added risk of psychosis in patients with comorbid cannabis use. There are overlapping environmental
The primary outcome was occurrence of any psychotic disorder (also using any recognized diagnostic criteria; including schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder not otherwise specified, or schizotypal personality disorder) at or after aged 18 years following a diagnosis of ADHD. They excluded studies with attention deficits or impulsivity without any ADHD diagnosis or adult ADHD diagnosis, or psychotic disorders that were diagnosed before or concurrently with ADHD.
Relevant data—including relative risks (RR), odds ratios (OR), hazard ratios (HR), and 95% confidence intervals—were extracted for each study. An assessment of risk of bias and study quality was performed for each included study. Pooled measures of relative effects (eg, RR, OR, HR) were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Egger’s test and funnel plots were used to assess for potential publication bias. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were performed for study design, sex, treatment, relevant psychiatric comorbidities, and type of outcome, but data were not available regarding substance use comorbidity.
The authors screened 3782 records and assessed 45 full-text articles for eligibility. After review, 15 studies (1 case-control and 14 cohorts) were included in the systematic review and 12 studies (1.85 million unique participants) were included in the meta-analysis. The median prevalence of
Findings were similar in subgroup analyses (including schizophrenia versus other psychotic disorders, as well as the presence or absence of follow-up after aged 18 years). In meta-regression analyses, sex, and study quality did not moderate the association. There was no evidence of publication bias.
The authors performed the first meta-analysis of observational studies on the association between ADHD and psychotic disorders. They note that substance use disorder comorbidity is common to both conditions, and that the effects of
There was inadequate data to consider effects of either substance use or psychostimulants in the present meta-analysis, and thus this information is relevant to future studies. They also note that psychotic symptoms and ADHD symptoms may overlap and can be confused and misdiagnosed (
CASE VIGNETTE
“Mr D” is a 21-year-old African American male outpatient at the community mental health center. He has a diagnosis of ADHD, combined type, and as a child, he received remote treatment with an unknown stimulant medication. His sister has depression, but his family history is otherwise unremarkable. At age 19, he was admitted for 1 week to the state psychiatric hospital because he had command auditory hallucinations for self-harm and began banging his head against the wall. He subsequently received a diagnosis of schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder. For the past year, he has been clinically stable on antipsychotic medication without additional psychiatric hospitalizations.
The Bottom Line
A childhood diagnosis of ADHD increased the risk of subsequent psychotic disorder almost 5-fold, independent of sex and diagnostic outcome (schizophrenia versus other psychotic disorder). Early detection (and management) of psychotic disorders in children with an ADHD diagnosis is essential.
References
1. Hamshere ML, Stergiakouli E, Langley K, et al.
2. Larsson H, Rydén E, Boman M, et al.
3. Linnet KM, Dalsgaard S, Obel C, et al.
4. Howes OD, Kambeitz J, Kim E, et al. The nature of dopamine dysfunction in schizophrenia and what this means for treatment. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2012;69(8):776-786.
5. Nourredine M, Gering A, Fourneret P, et al.
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