ADHD Comorbidities: Handbook for ADHD Complications in Children and Adults

by Thomas E. Brown PhD (Editor)

Overview

Many books address various aspects of ADHD -- but ADHD Comorbidities: Handbook for ADHD Complications in Children and Adults is the only one that covers the multiple ways in which ADHD is complicated by other psychiatric and learning disorders in both children and adults. It features comprehensive, research-based information on the condition and its full range of comorbidities, from mood disorders to developmental coordination disorder, written by researcher-clinicians familiar with the complications that these additional disorders pose. The authors summarize in accessible language what is currently known about ADHD and its comorbidities from preschool age to adulthood, describing how ADHD produces different profiles at different stages of development.

The book offers a new paradigm for understanding ADHD, viewing it not as a simple behavior disorder but as a complex developmental impairment of executive functions in the brain. In describing combinations of disorders in various age groups, this effective guide shows that significant impairments can occur in adolescence and adulthood, when individuals face increased demands for self-management. And because adults with ADHD are likely to have at least one additional psychiatric disorder at some point in their lives, this handbook also describes how to adjust treatment strategies for both ADHD and additional disorders to reduce the impairments resulting from comorbidity. Among the book's features: • It reviews aspects of ADHD not only for elementary-school children, adolescents, and adults but also for preschoolers, giving ADHD developmental context by describing how symptoms in preschool years differ from those in older children• Eleven chapters offer practical clinical help for patients whose ADHD appears in combination with other disorders, including aggression, mood disorders, obsessive/compulsive disorders, substance abuse, Tourette syndrome, and the autistic/Asperger's disorder spectrum.• It presents guidelines for assessing and treating complicated ADHD, including psychopharmacological treatment, psychosocial treatment, cognitive therapy, and tailoring treatment to individuals and their families.• It provides guidance on adapting and adjusting medications and other interventions to optimize treatment effects for the wide diversity of complex cases that embody ADHD.• It contains useful information about how to discern other disorders when the chief complaint suggests ADHD -- and how to detect ADHD when the patient's presentation has been modified by the presence of other disorders.

With its comprehensive summaries of research and wealth of clinical guidance, this handbook clearly shows how attentional disorders are related to other conditions and how patients with these more complex variants of ADD can be more effectively recognized and treated.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585628339
Publisher:	American Psychiatric Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	12/10/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	478
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D., is Associate Director at the Yale Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

ContributorsForewordPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPart I: Attention Deficit Disorders in Developmental ContextsChapter 1. Developmental complexities of attentional disordersChapter 2. Genetics of ADHDChapter 3. ADHD in preschool childrenChapter 4. ADHD in elementary school childrenChapter 5. ADHD in adolescentsChapter 6. ADHD in adultsPart II: Attention Deficit Disorders with Specific ComorbiditiesChapter 7. ADHD with mood disordersChapter 8. ADHD with anxiety disordersChapter 9. ADHD with oppositionality and aggressionChapter 10. ADHD with obsessive-compulsive disorderChapter 11. ADHD with language and/or learning disorders in children and adolescentsChapter 12. ADHD and learning disabilities in adults: overlap with executive dysfunctionChapter 13. ADHD with substance use disordersChapter 14. ADHD with autism spectrum disordersChapter 15. ADHD with sleep/arousal disturbancesChapter 16. ADHD with tourette syndromeChapter 17. ADHD with developmental coordination disorderPart III: Assessment and Interventions for Complicated Attention Deficit DisordersChapter 18. Assessment of ADHD and comorbiditiesChapter 19. Pharmacotherapy of ADHD and comorbiditiesChapter 20. Psychosocial interventions for ADHD and comorbiditiesChapter 21. Cognitive therapy for adults with ADHDChapter 22. Tailoring treatments for individuals with ADHD and their familiesIndex

What People are Saying About This

Russell A. Barkley

Three approaches have been taken so far in reducing the heterogeneity of ADHD cases. The first, based on subtyping as in the DSM-IV, has largely failed to reveal clinically or scientifically meaningful differences. The second, based on etiology, is promising but of little clinical value at the moment. The third approach having by far the greatest clinical and scientific utility has been using comorbidity. As this book attests, using comorbidity to better understand ADHD has been an approach yielding reams of valuable information about the life course and forms of impairments likely to be associated with ADHD, the types of treatments that need to be used or adjustments to them for various comorbidities, and even the likely response to traditional ADHD treatments. This is the most up-to-date book on this topic currently available and richly rewards the reader, whether clinician, scientist, or student, with its substantial breadth of coverage and detail.

Mina K. Dulcan

Every conceivable psychiatric comorbidity is covered, by experts in each. Specific chapters are devoted to assessment of ADHD and comorbid disorders and the variety of treatments—pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, cognitive therapy for adults, and tailoring treatment to best fit each person and family. Given the high prevalence of ADHD, this volume should be on every clinician's shelf.

From the Foreword

This book offers a rich compendium of information about what is currently known about ADHD and how it can be most effectively treated in all its complexities.

Larry J. Seidman

This book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on the complex set of disorders often accompanying attention deficit disorders. It brings together an excellent group of experts who address, in a state-of-the-art way, virtually all the clinically relevant areas of comorbidity...It should be on the bookshelves of all health care professionals who need to become knowledgeable about attention deficit disorders.
—Larry J. Seidman, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology Dept. of Psychiatry Harvard Medical School

Gabrielle A. Carlson

This volume addresses the complexities of attention disorders with great clarity and clinical relevance. There is much more to ADHD than hyperactivity!
—Gabrielle A.Carlson, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York

Introduction

"The first section of this book begins with two chapters in which the authors describe the emerging understandings of the nature of attention-deficit disorders and of genetic factors implicated in their transmission. These are followed by 10 chapters, in each of which is described a specific cluster of psychiatric disorders often found to be comorbid with attention-deficit disorders, including mood disorders; anxiety disorders; learning disorders; oppositional defiant, conduct, and aggressive disorders; obsessive-compulsive disorder; sleep disorders; substance abuse and substance use disorders; tic disorders; and developmental coordination disorders. Each of these chapters describes what is currently known about a particular cluster of comorbidities and how such comorbidities may have an impact on the patient and modify the process of assessment and treatment. The section concludes with one chapter describing problems in assessing and treating attention-deficit disorders in preschoolers and another summarizing various types of outcomes of individuals with attention-deficit disorders as these have been reported in existing longitudinal studies. The second section of the book focuses on assessment and treatment interventions for attention-deficit disorders and comorbidities in children, adolescents, and adults. Beginning with a chapter on clinical assessment, the section also includes chapters on pharmacotherapy, psychosocial interventions, cognitive therapy, and educational interventions for individuals with attention-deficit disorders and comorbid disorders. The volume concludes with a chapter on tailoring of interventions for individuals with attention-deficit disorders, in which is emphasized the need for individualizing treatment to take into account comorbidities and combinations of comorbidities as well as other specifics of the individual, his or her family, and their social setting." - from the Introduction

Editorial Reviews

3 Stars from Doody

In this book on attention deficit disorders various co-morbid psychiatric conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, learning difficulties, substance use disorders, sleep difficulties, and Tourette's Syndrome are covered. This book is written with the aim of depicting the reality of attention deficit disorders as they truly exist (i.e., as a co-morbidity with other psychiatric disorders). The editor and contributors clearly describe clinical implications and base some of the arguments on research. This book is written for all practitioners in pediatrics and psychiatry and is very readable, clear, and succinct. While the editor is a PhD, he invited several MDs who could comment on psychopharmacology. This book has two sections. In the first section various co-morbid disorders are discussed, including correlates, risk factors, clinical course, and treatment. In the second section the specific assessment and interventions are covered, primarily for attention deficit disorders. "Attention deficit disorder" is used in the caption, and the word "hyperactivity" is excluded, even though the terms are used interchangeably. This reflects the editor's bias of the critical status of inattention rather than excluding hyperactivity. This book is a welcome addition and is a must for the bookshelves of all healthcare professionals who treat children, adolescents, and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Mani Pavuluri

In accessible language, more than 30 researcher-clinician contributors summarize how to recognize ADHD and its comorbidities at various stages of development, from preschool age to adolescence to adulthood. Clinician will find practical help-and acquire valuable guidance on tailoring medications and other interventions to optimize treatment outcomes for patients of all ages with complex cases of ADHD.

ATTENTION Magazine

This handbook makes an important contribution to the field by highlighting the developmental and genetically mediated nature of ADHD, its potential influences on other psychopathology into adulthood, empirical findings regarding the nature of virtually all ADHD comorbidities, and the implications for and best practices in assessment.

Journal of Attention Disorders - Will H. Canu

It is a comprehensive and exhaustive volume, with ample references, suggestions for further readings, and even useful web sites. While the information can be overwhelming, the variety of therapeutic responses to the syndrome—from cognitive and behavioral therapy to appropriate medication—offer a glimmer of hope for concerned teachers and beleaguered family members.

Education updated.com

Reviewer: Adrienne Adams, MD (Rush University Medical Center)
Description: This sequel to a 2000 book (Attention-Deficit Disorders and Comorbidities in Children, Adolescents, and Adults) offers a comprehensive update with the most current information about the complexity of ADHD in both children and adults.
Purpose: The editor and the internationally recognized experts he has enlisted have several key objectives: first, to offer updated information about the developmental nature of attention disorders and how they are related to other disorders, thus providing a sound foundation for the etiology and assessment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders; then, to provide the most current and effective treatment principles for the complex variants of attention deficit disorders and related disorders.
Audience: The intended audience includes child and adolescent psychiatrists, general psychiatrists, family practitioners, psychiatric nurse practitioners, pediatricians, educators, psychologists, and other mental health professionals who work with children and adults.
Features: The first of the book's three sections focuses on the etiology and developmental features of attention disorders. The chapters review aspects of neurobiology and functioning as they relate to attention disorders and current genetic findings. Subsequent chapters provide overviews of ADHD in each age group with corresponding treatment recommendations and recent studies involving that age group. Section two explores specific comorbidities with ADHD. Each chapter provides treatment recommendations, clinical studies, and implications. Chapters conclude with several clinical examples that nicely illustrate the topics, key clinical points, and a reference section that includes recommended readings and useful websites. The final section provides updated reviews of research and guidelines for assessment and treatment of complicated ADHD. This handbook also covers an underrepresented age group, preschool children, and includes thoughtful chapter that addresses ADHD with various disorders in the autistic spectrum.
Assessment: This is a well organized, easy to read, informative, and clinically relevant handbook that addresses various aspects of ADHD from early assessment through future implications. Patient vignettes, treatment guidelines, clinically relevant studies, and a reference section make this book an invaluable resource for all clinicians and educators. It significantly furthers and expands the understanding of ADHD from the 2000 book and is an important addition for all libraries.

Doody's Review Service

This handbook makes an important contribution to the field by highlighting the developmental and genetically mediated nature of ADHD, its potential influences on other psychopathology into adulthood, empirical findings regarding the nature of virtually all ADHD comorbidities, and the implications for and best practices in assessment.

Will H. Canu Journal of Attention Disorders

In accessible language, more than 30 researcher-clinician contributors summarize how to recognize ADHD and its comorbidities at various stages of development, from preschool age to adolescence to adulthood. Clinician will find practical help-and acquire valuable guidance on tailoring medications and other interventions to optimize treatment outcomes for patients of all ages with complex cases of ADHD.

ATTENTION magazine

In accessible language, more than 30 researcher-clinician contributors summarize how to recognize ADHD and its comorbidities at various stages of development, from preschool age to adolescence to adulthood. Clinician will find practical help-and acquire valuable guidance on tailoring medications and other interventions to optimize treatment outcomes for patients of all ages with complex cases of ADHD.

Attention Magazine

This handbook makes an important contribution to the field by highlighting the developmental and genetically mediated nature of ADHD, its potential influences on other psychopathology into adulthood, empirical findings regarding the nature of virtually all ADHD comorbidities, and the implications for and best practices in assessment.

(Will H. Canu)

Journal of Attention Disorders