The effect of comorbidity on the treatment of ADHD:
ADHD with anxiety disorder

The response to stimulant medication of children with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorder remains unclear. There are several reports suggesting that these children respond less well to stimulants. Santosh and Taylor cite reports of;

 

 

The MTA study, however, suggested that children with comorbid anxiety respond as well as those without anxiety and the study by Diamond et al (1999) also suggested equal responses dependent on a careful titration of stimulant dose.
 
In view of these uncertainties, Santosh and Taylor suggest that patients with ADHD and a comorbid anxiety disorder may respond better to a trial of tricyclic antidepressants or to a trial of buspirone.
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© 2006 Royal College of Psychiatrists