Relationship of hypersensitivity to anxiety and depression in children with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorders.

AIMS: Sensory-perceptual abnormalities, which include hyper- and hyposensitivity, have been identified by numerous researchers as prevalent in individuals with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD). Hypersensitivity has a greater impact on PDD patients' daily lives than hyposensitivity. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the relationship of hypersensitivity to anxiety, depression and other psychopathology in children with PDD. METHODS: Sixty-four children were divided into a hypersensitivity group (HG; n = 43) and a non-hypersensitivity group (non-HG; n = 21), and compared for anxiety, depression and other psychopathology on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). RESULTS: The HG group had significantly higher scores than the non-HG group in Total, Internalizing, and Somatic complaints on the CBCL. On STAIC, the mean sore of Total Score, State Score and Trait Score in the HG group tended to be higher than in the non-HG group, but the difference was not significant. The score on the CDI in the HG group was significantly higher than that in the non-HG group. CONCLUSION: PDD children with hypersensitivity have more serious psychopathologies, especially internalizing symptoms including depression.

Evaluation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in male children with high-functioning pervasive developmental disorders.

BACKGROUND: Although there are many reports of high rates of hyperactivity and attention deficits in children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), controversy remains about the applicability of the diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to PDD children. The present study elucidates the similarities and differences of ADHD symptoms in PDD children compared to ADHD children. METHODS: Twenty-seven male children with PDD+ADHD Combined type (ADHD-C), 17 males with ADHD-C, and 9 males with PDD without ADHD-C, were compared on measures of ADHD symptoms and related behaviors using parent ratings and teacher ratings on the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHDRS), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Teacher Report Form (TRF). RESULTS: The PDD+ADHD-C and the ADHD-C groups had significantly higher ratings than the PDD only group for all the scores on both the parent-rated and the teacher-rated ADHDRS. The ADHD-C and PDD+ADHD-C groups had significantly higher scores than the PDD group on Delinquent Behavior, Aggressive Behavior, and Externalizing Behavior of the CBCL and on Delinquent Behavior of the TRF; there were no significant differences between the ADHD-C and PDD+ADHD-C groups on any scores of the CBCL and TRF. CONCLUSIONS: The PDD+ADHD-C and ADHD-C groups share a similar profile of ADHD symptoms and externalizing behaviors, and the comorbidity of ADHD and PDD should be suspected when ADHD symptoms are present in PDD children.

Hyperactivity and comorbidity in Japanese children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

No previous study about comorbidity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Japan have carried out both a comprehensive investigation using a structured interview and a comparison between ADHD subtypes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between hyperactivity and disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) in ADHD by comparing a hyperactivity group (HG) with a non-hyperactivity group (non-HG). After diagnosis was carried out by strict exclusion, the 41 ADHD subjects (6-14 years old; IQ, 70-121) diagnosed according to DSM-IV were divided into HG (n = 24) and non-HG (n = 17), and compared for comorbidities and psychopathologies. This was done via semistructured interview with children and parents and questionnaires to parents and teachers. The results demonstrate that (i) most ADHD children had comorbidity (e.g. DBD or anxiety disorder); (ii) the HG had a significantly higher rate of DBD than the non-HG, but the total number of anxiety disorders was not different between subgroups, and (iii) the HG generally had more serious psychopathologies both at home and at school than the non-HG. Both groups had more serious externalizing and internalizing problems at home than at school. The present study provides evidence of a strong relationship between hyperactivity and DBD.