ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER AND PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY: A REVIEW OF CURRENT EVIDENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6568Keywords:
ADHD, Psychiatric Comorbidity, Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Substance Use Disorders, Sleep DisordersAbstract
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that frequently persists into adulthood and is associated with substantial psychiatric comorbidity. Co-occurring mental disorders may complicate diagnosis, worsen functional impairment, and negatively affect treatment outcomes.
Objective: This review aimed to summarize and critically analyze current evidence regarding the coexistence of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders in adults, with particular emphasis on depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, sleep disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, the NCBI database, and peer-reviewed biomedical journals. Publications from database inception through July 2025 were considered, with particular emphasis on studies published during the preceding ten years. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, population-based studies, and longitudinal cohorts were prioritized. The review focused on the prevalence, clinical characteristics, potential shared mechanisms, prognostic implications, and treatment considerations associated with psychiatric comorbidity in adult ADHD.
Results: Psychiatric comorbidity was identified as a frequent characteristic of adult ADHD, with approximately 60–80% of adults experiencing at least one additional psychiatric disorder during their lifetime. Depressive and anxiety disorders were among the most prevalent comorbidities and were associated with greater functional impairment and reduced quality of life. Bipolar disorder presented important diagnostic challenges due to overlapping symptoms, while substance use disorders were associated with poorer psychosocial outcomes and increased treatment complexity. Sleep disorders were highly prevalent and appeared to interact bidirectionally with ADHD symptoms. The frequent co-occurrence of ADHD and autism spectrum disorder further supports shared neurodevelopmental mechanisms. Emotional dysregulation and executive dysfunction emerged as potential transdiagnostic factors contributing to psychiatric vulnerability.
Conclusions: Adult ADHD should be considered a complex, multidimensional disorder that rarely occurs in isolation. Comprehensive assessment of psychiatric comorbidity and integrated, individualized treatment are essential to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Wiktoria Glanert, Jakub Maksymilian Bajer, Aleksandra Włodarczyk, Hubert Kulawinek, Julia Obersztyn, Krzysztof Maksym Kasparek, Marta Czech, Grzegorz Kasparek, Adrianna Szczecińska, Aleksandra Mliczek, Piotr Mrozek
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