According to a new paper in the Journal of Affective Disorders, as much as one in four adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Researchers looked at a sample of nearly 6,900 participants from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health.
“Research has identified a link between ADHD and GAD,” according to the journal report. “The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between ADHD and GAD, and to identify significant correlates of GAD among those with ADHD.”
The results of the study led to the conclusion that adults with ADHD are about four times more likely to have GAD during their lifespan.
“After adjusting for all covariates, the odds of GAD were still more than double for those with ADHD. Factors associated with GAD among those with ADHD include being female, having an income <$40,000, having fewer close relationships, and having a lifetime history of depression," researchers emphasized. "The high co-morbidity between ADHD and GAD emphasizes the need for targeted intervention to support these often overlapping disorders."
