A study published in the October 2010 issue of the “Archives of General Psychiatry” reports that children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at ages 4-6 face greater risks for depression and suicide at ages 9-18, and this risk may be more pronounced among girls.
The new study comprised 125 kids diagnosed with ADHD when they were 4 to 6 years old and 123 ADHD-free kids for comparison. Researchers followed the children until they turned 18.
Dr. Jeffrey Huttman, Chief Clinical Officer of Challenges in Fort Lauderdale, FL, says that depression is at the root of many problems with substance abuse and addiction.
“Many of our patients have experienced distress related to depression and other difficulties since childhood. Often when such problems go undiagnosed or untreated, they cause the individual to seek alternative methods to feel better. In later years, when substance dependence becomes the prevailing problem, the individual has often lost sight into where their underlying difficulties began. It is frequently necessary to take a look at the patient’s history of depression or ADHD symptoms experienced in childhood in order to have a clear understanding of the current diagnosis and strategies for treating their addiction today.”
ADHD is a behavioral disorder characterized by difficulty paying attention, impulsive behaviors, and hyperactivity. Up to 37% of adults with ADHD are also depressed, and studies have shown that when major depression occurs with ADHD, it starts earlier, lasts longer, and is often more severe than when it occurs on its own.
Kids with ADHD who were most at risk for suicide or depression were girls, children, or adolescents whose mom was depressed, and those who displayed a lot of anxiety and behavioral issues.
Researchers categorized ADHD into three subtypes: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and/or a combination of both. Those children with ADHD who exhibited a combination of inattention and hyperactivity were at increased risk for depression and attempted suicide, while children who experienced only inattentiveness were at risk for depression. ADHD marked by hyperactivity only was a risk factor for suicide attempts, but not depression.
“These findings suggest that it is possible to identify children with ADHD at very young ages who are at very high risk for later depression and suicidal behavior,” the researchers conclude.
