[Pharmacotherapy of ADHD in adults with comorbid depression].
OBJECTIVE
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder with a high prevalence of 2-6% in adults. The often distinctive clinical symptomatology has a great practical relevance and the diagnostic demarcation of other psychiatric illnesses can be difficult which underlines the necessity of a differential and careful diagnosis. ADHD is a risk factor for comorbid disorders like anxiety, personality disorders and addiction. Comorbid depression is also frequent and has an important meaning in the differential diagnostic process.


METHODS
A review was made about diagnostics and pharmacotherapy of ADHD with comorbid depression.


CONCLUSIONS
For the combination treatment of ADHD with comorbid depression there are good pharmacological procedures of treatment. Here in particular modern antidepressants with noradrenergic or noradrenergic-serotonergic active principles play an important role. Very important is an exact diagnosis and differentiated treatment of ADHD, i.e. a "multimodal therapy" using pharmacological and psychotherapeutic concepts.
Ohlmeier
Martin D
MD
Abteilung Klinische Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30625 Hannover. ohlmeier.martin@mh-hannover.de
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use