Anxiety disorders in an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder clinical sample.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of anxiety disorders in a clinical referred sample of children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHOD: 78 children and adolescents with ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria were investigated with a semi-structured interview (P-CHIPS), complemented by clinical interviews with the children or adolescents and their parents. Their IQ was calculated with neuropsychological testing.

RESULTS

A high prevalence of anxiety disorders (23.05%) was found in the sample. Generalized anxiety disorder was the most prevalent disorder (12,8%), followed by social phobia (3,84%) and separation anxiety disorder (3,8%). Two children showed more than one anxiety disorder.

CONCLUSION

Children and adolescents with ADHD seem to be more prone to have comorbid anxiety disorders, at least in clinical samples referred to specialized units.