Up to 90% of adults with ADHD also have diagnosis for separate condition, says leading GP Between 80 and 90 per cent of adults diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also have another diagnosis such as difficulties with sleeping or anxiety, a leading general practitioner has said. Dr Aoife O’Sullivan, clinical lead for mental health at the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), stated that ADHD rarely exists alone. She explained that for many people, these co-morbidities could be partially a result of going undiagnosed for so many years and not having the treatment or support they needed. “The most common ones – so common you’d nearly consider them part of the diagnosis – are sleep issues. They have difficulty getting to sleep. Cognition insomnia – you’re exhausted but your brain keeps going,” she said. “Anxiety on some level. It mightn’t be a diagnosed anxiety disorder, but a lot of people talk about being an anxious person. It’s years and years of working really hard to do normal things, and anxiety is just a natural reaction to that.” O’Sullivan cited figures from ADHD Ireland which found 20 per cent of adults with ADHD have attempted suicide in their lifetime and 50 per cent of adults with ADHD have self-harmed at some stage in the past. ADHD medication can reduce risk of suicide, substance misuse and criminality for newly diagnosed, study finds. Early diagnosis of ADHD is important so the right support can be received. If you think your child or yourself may have ADHD, you should first contact your GP to discuss your concerns and seek a referral.
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