Assessing The Coexistence of Adhd, Depression, And Substance Abuse Problems: Treatment for Improving Comorbidities

Abstract

The association between substance addiction and Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been well known for many years. An association between addiction and depression has also been heavily investigated, and in recent years evidence has accumulated to indicate that ADHD increases the risk of depression, but that the causal nature of these associations is still not well understood. Due to certain overlapping psychological characteristics, the most prominent psychiatric comorbidities of ADHD are depression and addiction problems. There is strong evidence for familial and neurobiological commonalities between ADHD and the various other associated psychiatric comorbidities. The overlap in symptom profiles between these mental health issues presents a problem for diagnosis and intervention, both of which suffer from poor validation. This study will assess the implications of a pharmacological method for intervention development and public health messaging, addressing the potential for ADHD to cause or lead to substance use or depression. Early identification and treatment of ADHD and its comorbidities could be key to mitigating the course of later psychiatric morbidity.