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Possible association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attempted suicide in adolescents – A pilot study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

I. Manor ,
I. Gutnik ,
D.H. Ben-Dor ,
A. Apter ,
J. Sever ,
S. Tyano ,
A. Weizman  and
G. Zalsman
I. Manor
Affiliation:
Geha Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 102, 49100Petach Tikva, Israel Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
I. Gutnik
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Tirat Hacarmel Mental Health Center, Tirat Hacarmel, Israel
D.H. Ben-Dor
Affiliation:
Geha Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 102, 49100Petach Tikva, Israel
A. Apter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Shneider Chidren's Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel
J. Sever
Affiliation:
Geha Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 102, 49100Petach Tikva, Israel
S. Tyano
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
A. Weizman
Affiliation:
Geha Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 102, 49100Petach Tikva, Israel Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Petach Tikva, Israel
G. Zalsman*
Affiliation:
Geha Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 102, 49100Petach Tikva, Israel Department of Psychiatry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, USA
*
*Corresponding author. Tel.: +972-3-925-8206; fax: +972-3-924-1041. E-mail address: [email protected] (G. Zalsman).
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Abstract

Objective

Both adolescent suicide and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are troubling phenomena with high comorbidity, including impulsivity, depression and personality disorders (PD). Studies on the association between these two phenomena are relatively rare. This pilot study's aim was to estimate the rate of ADHD in adolescents attempting suicide.

Method

Subjects constituted consecutive admissions to the psychiatric emergency room (ER) who were admitted as a result of attempting suicide. Assessment included the use of the Kiddie-SADS, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Conners’ Rating Scale (CRS). Those diagnosed as suffering from ADHD were assessed by a standardized Continuous Performance Test (Test of Variables of Attention [TOVA]) that included methylphenidate (MPH) challenge. Twenty-three (23) adolescents completed the study. M:F ratio was 5:18, respectively.

Results

Of the 23 participants who completed the study, 65% were diagnosed with ADHD, 43.5% with depression and 39% with cluster B PD. ADD/ADHD ratio was 66%:34%. Only five of the patients were formerly diagnosed as ADHD, only three had been medicated and 14 out of 15 adolescents responded well to MPH challenge.

Conclusion

These preliminary results suggest a significant association between ADHD and suicidal behavior in adolescents. Further study is needed to establish this association and assess the causality.

Keywords

ADHDAdolescentSuicide
Type
Original article
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 25 , Issue 3 , April 2010 , pp. 146 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © Elsevier Masson SAS 2009

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