The frequency and significance of additional self-reported psychiatric diagnoses in children with attention deficit disorder.
The frequency of additional self-reported diagnoses in a large, heterogeneous sample of attention deficit disorder (ADD) children (N = 182) was determined using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA). Over half the children had additional DICA diagnoses, with oppositional disorder and anxiety/mood disorders the most frequent. ADD boys with internalizing-type diagnoses had lower verbal IQs and arithmetic scores and performed more poorly on attention tasks than those without; parents also rated them more adversely. Those with externalizing-type diagnoses were rated as more aggressive by teachers and had sociopathic, thrill-seeking profiles on paper-pencil self-ratings. Over 40% of the children were dyslexic or slow learners but they had no higher rate of DICA diagnoses than those who read adequately.
Livingston
R L
RL
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72201.
Dykman
R A
RA
Ackerman
P T
PT
D000124:Achievement; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales