title: The beneficial effect of methylphenidate in ADHD with comorbid separation anxiety.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the response of subsyndromal separation anxiety (SSSA) symptoms to methylphenidate (MPH) treatment in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A group of patients with ADHD and SSSA (n=42), aged 8-17 years, received 12 weeks of MPH treatment. The severity of SSSA symptoms was assessed using appropriate scales including the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders and the specially designed Child and Adolescent Separation Anxiety Scale (CASAS). The severity of ADHD symptoms was assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale. The severity of ADHD and separation anxiety reduced significantly and significant positive correlations were found between the changes in ADHD Rating Scale and the total CASAS scores (P=0.012), as well as other relevant subscales of Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders and CASAS. The MPH-related attenuation in the severity of ADHD was associated with a corresponding improvement in separation anxiety related to school. SSSA symptomatology may be secondary to ADHD and thus the alleviation in ADHD symptoms achieved by MPH treatment results in corresponding relief in separation anxiety.
authors.affiliation: aChild and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic bResearch Unit, Geha Mental Health Center cFelsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Petah Tikva dSackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv eAdult Eating Disorder Department, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golubchik
authors.forename: Lilya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Golubchik
authors.forename: Jonathan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sever
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001010:Anxiety, Separation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D008774:Methylphenidate