GeneralHealth Conditions That Commonly Co-Occur With ADHD

As more research is underway on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it is becoming increasingly clear that the condition rarely occurs on its own. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as two-thirds of individuals living with ADHD also have other behavioral, emotional and mental health conditions. More interestingly, many of these individuals also live with other health conditions, such as migraine headaches and sleep disorders. For diagnostic and treatment purposes, it’s important that doctors understand how these conditions interact with one another so that they may develop the most accurate and effective intervention plans as possible.

Neurodevelopmental Conditions That Co-Occur With ADHD

It is not uncommon for ADHD to co-occur with other neurodevelopmental conditions. In fact, many of the symptoms of co-occurring neurological disorders are similar to those of ADHD, making diagnosing and distinguishing one disorder from another difficult — even with the use of advanced tests such as the (ADHDT-2) Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Test or even the (CAARS) Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales. Neurological disorders that commonly co-occur with ADHD include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Data from the CDC reveals that as many as one in eight persons who live with ADHD also have ASD. When the conditions co-occur, the symptoms of both become amplified.
• Sensory Processing Conditions: It is not uncommon for individuals who live with ADHD to also process sensory stimuli in atypical ways. While many people with ADHD are less sensitive to environmental stimuli — making them appear disinterested or unmotivated — some are overly sensitive to it, to the point where outside stimuli may cause discomfort or even pain.
• Learning Disorders and Disabilities: Research shows that as much as 17% of children with reading disorders also have ADHD. Moreover, 20% of individuals with intellectual disabilities also have ADHD.
• Developmental Coordination Disorder: In 50%–70% of cases, ADHD and developmental coordination disorders overlap.

It is crucial that doctors are familiar and understand co-occurring conditions and symptoms to prevent misdiagnosis and ensure effective treatment for patients.

Medical Conditions That Co-Occur With ADHD

Studies reveal that individuals with ADHD often live with one or several medical comorbidities. In fact, 77% of children with an ADHD diagnosis live with a second medical condition. As much as 40% live with two or more other medical diagnoses. As with co-occurring neurological disorders, co-occurring medical conditions often present similarly to ADHD, making diagnosis difficult. Some co-occuring conditions are:

• Sleep Disorders: Many ADHD symptoms cause sleep problems, more often in girls than in boys. While ADHD treatment can reduce sleep disturbances, it is known to increase them in some individuals.
• Enuresis: Enuresis refers to urinary incontinence during sleep. It occurs in as much as 40% of children who have ADHD.
• Epilepsy: Research shows that epilepsy and ADHD co-occur approximately 24% of the time.
• Tic Disorders: Tic disorders, such as Tourette’s Syndrome, co-occur with ADHD as much as 60% of the time. When these disorders co-occur with ADHD, treatment is crucial to a child successing  in school and society.
• Migraine Headaches: Approximately 26% of children who live with ADHD also experience migraine headaches. Conversely, just 9.9% of children without an ADHD diagnosis can say the same.

ADHD often co-occurs with neurological and medical conditions—many of which share its symptoms. Co-occurring conditions make diagnosis difficult. Yet, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to ensuring an or child receives appropriate care and treatment.

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