ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN ADOLESCENT MANIA

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of attent ion deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents with bipolar disorde r and to explore the potential effects of comorbid attention deficit h yperactivity disorder on the phenomenology of adolescent bipolar disor der. Method: The authors assessed the rate of attention deficit hypera ctivity disorder for adolescents with bipolar disorder who were hospit alized for treatment of acute mania or hypomania. Results: Eight (57%) of 14 adolescent bipolar patients also met DSM-III-R criteria for att ention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Patients with both disorders we re more likely to be male and Caucasian and to have mixed rather than manic bipolar disorder. Patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder had a higher mean total score on the Young Mania Rating Scale than patients with bipolar disorder alone. Conclusions: Although prel iminary, these findings may have important implications regarding the potential relationship between bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.