Adults with Tourette's syndrome with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Journal article

OBJECTIVE: Comorbidity between Tourette's syndrome (TS) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is high. In children, those with both TS+ADHD fare less well than those with TS-only on measures of both psychopathology and behaviour. The objective of this study was to document such measures in adult patients. METHOD: Eighty adults with TS-only were compared to 64 with TS+ADHD using a clinical interview and standardised measures of depression, anxiety and obsessionality. RESULTS: The two groups were no different on measures of TS severity. TS+ADHD patients had significantly more depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviour and maladaptive behaviours than patients with TS-only. There were also significant differences in the incidence of copro- and echo-phenomena and family history of ADHD. CONCLUSION: The finding of increased overall behavioural difficulties and psychopathology in adult patients with TS+ADHD when compared with TS-only is in agreement with previous findings in children with TS. Appropriate treatment of ADHD in TS patients during childhood may prevent many behavioural problems in adulthood.

Authors: Haddad, A; Umoh, G; Bhatia, V; Robertson, M

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
• Volume: 120
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 299-307
• Publication date: 2009-10-01
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2009.01398.x
• EISSN: 1600-0447
• ISSN: 0001-690X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Humans; Prevalence; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Female; Impulse Control Disorders; Male; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Questionnaires; Anxiety Disorders; Severity of Illness Index; Young Adult; Tourette Syndrome; Adult; Comorbidity