Is oppositional defiant disorder a meaningful diagnosis in adults? Results from a large sample of adults with ADHD.
We examined the prevalence and clinical characteristics of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in a sample of clinically referred adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Subjects were consecutively referred adults with a DSM-III R/IV diagnosis of ADHD with or without ODD. Nearly half of subjects (43%) had a history of ODD. Subjects with a childhood history of ODD had increased risk for bipolar disorder, multiple anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders relative to the ADHD subjects without ODD. We concluded, as in children with ODD, adults with a childhood history of ODD have high rates of psychiatric comorbidity and more impaired psychosocial functioning than those without this condition. A better understanding of the course, phenomenology, and clinical significance of ODD in adults is needed to better understand therapeutic approaches for this disorder.
Harpold
Theresa
T
Pediatric Psychopharmacology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
Biederman
Joseph
J
Gignac
Martin
M
Hammerness
Paul
P
Surman
Craig
C
Potter
Anya
A
Mick
Eric
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014888:Wechsler Scales