Conference paper

ADHD AND BIPOLAR DISORDER AMONG ADOLESCENTS: Nosology in question

Nicolas Zdanowicz ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques de Mont-Godinne, Belgium
Anne Myslinski ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques de Mont-Godinne, Belgium

Abstract

Objectives: The double diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, and of bipolar disorder in its depressive or
manic phase in children and adolescents is quite common. The present paper examines the clinical descriptions of both disorders,
and addresses the methodological and nosological questions they raise.
Method: Review of the literature from Medline, PsycArticles and PsycInfo data bases using the keywords “ADHD, BPD,
Adolescence” as well as review of specialised reference works.
Results: Whereas the clinical and epidemiological communities posit the case for a bidirectional association between ADHD and
BPD, more thorough analyses using both clinical and epidemiological perspectives suggest two distinct entities. Accordingly, we
also discuss various theories accounting for the frequent co occurrence of these two diagnoses.
Conclusions: The double diagnosis of ADHD and BPD not only raises several hypotheses accounting for the emergence of both
these syndromes in the clinical description of the same patient, but also reminds us of the limitations inherent in the nosology of
mental disorders.

Keywords

ADHD; bipolar disorder; adolescence

Hrčak ID:

262761

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/262761

Publication date:

14.9.2010.

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