Treatment of ADHD comorbid with aggressive behavior or anxiety

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with high levels of comorbid psychiatric disorders, with 70% of diagnosed children having at least one psychiatric comorbidity. The main psychiatric disorders that accompany ADHD are anxiety disorders (34%) and oppositional defiant disorder / aggressive behaviors (40%). When a child with suspected ADHD has a comorbid psychiatric disorder the treatment is more challenging and among the complex issues to be aware of when treating the comorbid disorders are treatment adherence, side effects and combining two medications. There are only a few protocols that provide guidelines for treating ADHD with comorbid anxiety disorders or aggressive behaviors, but unfortunately, they lack relevant solid empiric support. The lecture will discuss these protocols and will include presentation of preliminary results of a study we are currently conducting-comparing the efficacy of long acting methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin-LA) vs. risperidone for treating aggressive behavior in children with ADHD.