ADHD and Related Mental Disorders

In some cases of hyperactivity it is not only ADHD which affect patient’s normal activity rather it is accompanied by some other mental disorders and disabilities. The mental problems occur along with ADHD are discussed below briefly. Let’s have a look over them.    

1- Learning Disabilities

Learning disabilities include difficulties in reading or learning new things which often results in dyslexia, a reading disorder. For such patient of ADHD which also have learning disabilities, specific academic testing and learning programs should be arranged as a part of his treatment pattern to help him getting control over his learning disabilities.        

2- Tourette’s syndrome

Although the occurrence of Tourette’s syndrome is limited to few cases but still exist in the list of related disorder of ADHD. Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological disorder which is characterized by repetitive behavior in normal life activities like sniffing, hand washing, snorting and clearing throat etc. Whenever a patient of ADHD does this kind of repetitive behavior it is considered as a part of his hyperactivity not as a symptom of another type of mental disorder. Therefore if your child who is already suffering from ADHD is showing repetitive behavior then take him to the psychiatrist or child health care specialist to find that whether he is having another mental illness or it is really a part of ADHD hyperactive state.            

3- Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is another behavioral abnormality which is characterized by disobedience, hot temper and aggressive behavior etc. Almost 30% to 50% of patients of ADHD also suffer from ODD at some stage of their life. Such disobedient tendency could results in crossing moral and social limits imposed on everyone living in a civilized society. So if a patient of ADHD is also suffering from oppositional defiant disorder then his activities must be carefully monitored to avoid any illegal action done by him anytime.               

4- Conduct Disorder

Children suffering from ADHD also have chances to develop conduct disorder which is mainly characterized by antisocial behavior including telling a lie, steeling, deceiving, crossing traffic signals, disregard for social norms and tendency to disturb social peaceful environment. All such behavioral tendencies often results in punishments and legal penalties from school administration or police. According to an estimate almost 30% to 50% patients of ADHD can have symptoms of conduct disorder as well.        

5- Bipolar Disorder 

Bipolar disorder which is characterized by extreme mood swings often shows its symptoms in the patients of ADHD. Such condition involves long term depression or long term hyperactivity state during which patient used to remain in one extreme state of mind for several hours or for several days. So if it happens to someone then he must be treated for bipolar disorder as well along with following treatment pattern required to deal with the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.