Prevalence rates of comorbid disorders in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adults

Abstract

Although there has been extensive research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a clinical disorder in adulthood, many clinicians remain sceptical about the validity of this disorder. Among the many reasons for this are comorbid conditions which may complicate the disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rates of other disorders among a group of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, based on participants’ scores on the Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III. In order to meet this aim, the Million Clinical Multiaxial Inventory -III results of a group of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (n = 51) were analysed. In terms of Cluster B personality disorders, the following prevalence rates were found for the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder group: 23% Borderline, 27.4% Antisocial, 19.6% Histrionic, and 19.6% Narcissistic. As far as comparing prevalence rates of possible comorbid conditions, as found in this study, with those of previous studies, the results compare well to those conditions that are reported as the most prevalent in other studies. However, the wide range of clinical and personality disorders that are associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder indicate that there are no typical comorbid disorders.