Trauma and ADHD – Association or Diagnostic Confusion? A Clinical Perspective

Szymanski, Kate; Sapanski, Linda; Conway, Francine

doi:10.1080/15289168.2011.575704

Cited by 107 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Third, we did not attempt to disentangle trauma symptoms from ADHD symptoms. Some studies suggest considerable overlap in behaviors/symptoms common to both ADHD and posttraumatic stress (Szymanski, Sapanski, & Conway, 2011); others assert that diagnostic co- occurrence is not due to diagnostic errors (Antshel et al, 2013). This may have important implications for identifying effective assessment and treatment options.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between youth violence exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a sample of fifth-graders.

Lewis¹,

Schwebel²,

Elliott³

et al. 2015

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

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The purpose of the current study was to examine the association between violence exposures (no exposure, witness or victim only, and both witness and victim) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, as well as the potential moderating role of gender. Data from 4,745 5th graders and their primary caregivers were drawn from the Healthy Passages study of adolescent health. Parent respondents completed the DISC Predictive Scales for ADHD, and youth provided information about exposure to violence. Results indicated that youth who reported both witnessing and victimization had more parent-reported ADHD symptoms and were more likely to meet predictive criteria for ADHD. Among those with both exposures, girls exhibited a steeper increase in ADHD symptoms and higher probability of meeting predictive criteria than did boys. Findings indicate that being both victim-of and witness-to violence is significantly associated with ADHD symptoms particularly among girls.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between youth violence exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a sample of fifth-graders.

Lewis¹,

Schwebel²,

Elliott³

et al. 2015

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Because, ADHD is an early onset psychological disorder, it often precedes PTSD diagnosis. Those with ADHD also have difficulty with impulse control, focusing, and stress management (Szymanski et al, 2011), and are more likely to be perceived as defiant, noncompliant, and aggressive (Monastra, 2008). Due to their impulsive behavior, they may be more likely to experience traumatic events (Szymanski et al, 2011).…”

Section: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Ptsdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attentional processes in posttraumatic stress disorder and the associated changes in neural functioning

Block

Liberzon

2016

Experimental Neurology

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is associated with alterations in attention at the behavioral and neural levels. However, there are conflicting findings regarding the specific type of attention impairments present in PTSD, as the commonly used tests of attention do not isolate the mechanisms behind attention abnormalities, and the constructs measured do not map onto the neurocircuits governing attention. Here, we review the literature on attention processing in PTSD and offer directions for future research to clarify these unanswered questions. First, using instruments that allow assessment of behavioral and neurophysiological attention components will be necessary to understand attention deficits in PTSD. Second, focus on intra-individual variability in addition to assessment of central tendency may help clarify some of the mixed findings. Third, longitudinal studies on attentional processes are warranted to determine how attention contributes to the development and maintenance of PTSD. Integration of behavioral and neural measures of attention will be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of PTSD.

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“…In psychodynamic terms a third group can be defined in which inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are determined by emotional stress or traumatic experiences such as a severe illness, the death of a parent, maltreatment or deprivation occurring concurrently or during early stages of psychosocial development (Szymanski et al ., ). Conway et al .…”

Section: Child Psychoanalysis and Adhdmentioning

confidence: 97%

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An affect‐processing and thought disorder?

Gunter

2014

The International Journal of Psychoanalysis

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In the literature on child and adolescent psychoanalysis attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is described as complex syndrome with wide-ranging psychodynamic features. Broadly speaking, the disorder is divided into three categories: 1. a disorder in early object relations leading to the development of a maniform defence organization in which object-loss anxieties and depressed affects are not worked through via symbolization but are organized in a body-near manner; 2. a triangulation disorder in which the cathexis of the paternal position is not stable; structures providing little support alternate with excessive arousal, affect regulation is restricted; 3. current emotional stress or a traumatic experience. I suggest taking a fresh look at ADHD from a psychoanalytic vantage point. With respect to the phenomenology of the disorder, the conflict-dynamic approach should be supplemented by a perspective regarding deficits in α-function as constitutive for ADHD. These deficits cause affect-processing and thought disorders compensated for (though not fully) by the symptomatology. At a secondary level, a vicious circle develops through the mutual reinforcement of defective processing of sense data and affects into potential thought content, on the one hand, and secondary, largely narcissistic defence processes on the other. These considerations have major relevance for the improved understanding of ADHD and for psychoanalytic technique.

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Trauma and ADHD – Association or Diagnostic Confusion? A Clinical Perspective

Cited by 107 publications

References 34 publications

The association between youth violence exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a sample of fifth-graders.

The association between youth violence exposure and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in a sample of fifth-graders.

Attentional processes in posttraumatic stress disorder and the associated changes in neural functioning

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): An affect‐processing and thought disorder?

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