Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment
ObjectiveADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is known for its high degree of heterogeneity. It often coexists with other psychiatric diseases, especially anxiety and depression. This article reviews recent studies to explore the etiology of comorb...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597559/full |
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| author | Xinyu Fu Weige Wu Weige Wu Yuru Wu Xiaofu Liu Wanting Liang Rongchuan Wu Yun Li Yun Li |
| author_facet | Xinyu Fu Weige Wu Weige Wu Yuru Wu Xiaofu Liu Wanting Liang Rongchuan Wu Yun Li Yun Li |
| author_sort | Xinyu Fu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is known for its high degree of heterogeneity. It often coexists with other psychiatric diseases, especially anxiety and depression. This article reviews recent studies to explore the etiology of comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders in adults with ADHD, analyzing the factors contributing to this elevated comorbidity rate from several perspectives. Additionally, we explore potential directions for future research in this field.Recent findingsADHD exhibits a high comorbidity rate with anxiety and depressive disorders, due to overlapping and interacting symptoms. Individuals with two or more comorbid conditions often experience increased disease burden, prolonged illness duration, and diminished treatment efficacy. The underlying causes of comorbid anxiety and depression in ADHD patients are highly complex and can be understood from multiple dimensions, including genetics, neurobiology, neurocognition, and neuroimaging. This complexity poses significant challenges for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Currently, the management of ADHD patients with concurrent depression or anxiety may involve pharmaceutical interventions combined with non-pharmacological strategies, including psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT) and digital therapeutics. For patients with comorbid illnesses, these intergrated approaches have demonstrated significant improvements in symptom relief and quality of life enhancement.SummaryADHD is a highly heterogeneous disorder with a significant comorbidity rate. Recent research has elucidated the pathogenetic mechanisms of ADHD comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders from multiple perspectives. To improve patient functioning, enhance their quality of life, and guide more effective treatments, Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying causes of these comorbid conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b568162a9eea486c9d6477b22ac46aba |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-b568162a9eea486c9d6477b22ac46aba2025-08-20T02:03:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-06-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.15975591597559Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatmentXinyu Fu0Weige Wu1Weige Wu2Yuru Wu3Xiaofu Liu4Wanting Liang5Rongchuan Wu6Yun Li7Yun Li8The School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaXiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaThe School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, ChinaXiamen Xianyue Hospital, Xianyue Hospital Affiliated with Xiamen Medical College, Fujian Psychiatric Center, Fujian Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Xiamen, Fujian, ChinaObjectiveADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is known for its high degree of heterogeneity. It often coexists with other psychiatric diseases, especially anxiety and depression. This article reviews recent studies to explore the etiology of comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders in adults with ADHD, analyzing the factors contributing to this elevated comorbidity rate from several perspectives. Additionally, we explore potential directions for future research in this field.Recent findingsADHD exhibits a high comorbidity rate with anxiety and depressive disorders, due to overlapping and interacting symptoms. Individuals with two or more comorbid conditions often experience increased disease burden, prolonged illness duration, and diminished treatment efficacy. The underlying causes of comorbid anxiety and depression in ADHD patients are highly complex and can be understood from multiple dimensions, including genetics, neurobiology, neurocognition, and neuroimaging. This complexity poses significant challenges for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Currently, the management of ADHD patients with concurrent depression or anxiety may involve pharmaceutical interventions combined with non-pharmacological strategies, including psychotherapy (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, CBT) and digital therapeutics. For patients with comorbid illnesses, these intergrated approaches have demonstrated significant improvements in symptom relief and quality of life enhancement.SummaryADHD is a highly heterogeneous disorder with a significant comorbidity rate. Recent research has elucidated the pathogenetic mechanisms of ADHD comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders from multiple perspectives. To improve patient functioning, enhance their quality of life, and guide more effective treatments, Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying causes of these comorbid conditions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597559/fulladult ADHDcomorbidityanxiety and depressive disorderstreatmentetiology |
| spellingShingle | Xinyu Fu Weige Wu Weige Wu Yuru Wu Xiaofu Liu Wanting Liang Rongchuan Wu Yun Li Yun Li Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment Frontiers in Psychiatry adult ADHD comorbidity anxiety and depressive disorders treatment etiology |
| title | Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment |
| title_full | Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment |
| title_fullStr | Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment |
| title_short | Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment |
| title_sort | adult adhd and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders a review of etiology and treatment |
| topic | adult ADHD comorbidity anxiety and depressive disorders treatment etiology |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597559/full |
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