ADHD Subtypes and Comorbid Anxiety, Depression, and Oppositional-Defiant Disorder: Differences in Sleep Problems

• Published in: Journal of pediatric psychology 2009-04, Vol.34 (3), p.328-337
• Main Authors: Mayes, Susan Dickerson, Calhoun, Susan L., Bixler, Edward O., Vgontzas, Alexandros N., Mahr, Fauzia, Hillwig-Garcia, Jolene, Elamir, Belal, Edhere-Ekezie, Linda, Parvin, Matthew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ADHD; Adolescent; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Age Factors; Analysis of Variance; anxiety; Anxiety - drug therapy; Anxiety - epidemiology; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - drug therapy; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - classification; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child clinical studies; Comorbidity; Depression; Depression - drug therapy; Depression - epidemiology; Disorders of higher nervous function. Focal brain diseases. Central vestibular syndrome and deafness. Brain stem syndromes; Factor Analysis, Statistical; Humans; Medical sciences; medication; Mood disorders; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; oppositional-defiant disorder; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Sex Factors; sleep; Sleep Wake Disorders - chemically induced; Sleep Wake Disorders - epidemiology; Sleep Wake Disorders - psychology; Social behavior disorders; Special Section: Research in Type 1 Diabetes; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0146-8693; 1465-735X
• DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsn083

Objective Sleep problems were analyzed in children with ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder). Methods Scales were completed by parents of 135 control children and 681 children with ADHD combined type (ADHD-C) or inattentive type (ADHD-I) with or without comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety, or depression. Results Children with ADHD-I alone had the fewest sleep problems and did not differ from controls. Children with ADHD-C had more sleep problems than controls and children with ADHD-I. Comorbid anxiety/depression increased sleep problems, whereas ODD did not. Daytime sleepiness was greatest in ADHD-I and was associated with sleeping more (not less) than normal. Medicated children had greater difficulty falling asleep than unmedicated children. Conclusions Differences in sleep problems were found as a function of ADHD subtype, comorbidity, and medication.