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Open Access 01-10-2019 | Affective Disorder | Original Contribution

Irritability in ADHD: association with later depression symptoms

Authors: Olga Eyre, Lucy Riglin, Ellen Leibenluft, Argyris Stringaris, Stephan Collishaw, Anita Thapar

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 10/2019

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression commonly co-occur. Identifying children with ADHD at risk for later depression may allow early intervention and prevention. Irritability is one possible mechanism linking these two disorders. It is common in ADHD and associated with later depression in the general population. Cross-sectional studies suggest an association between irritability and depression in ADHD, but longitudinal research is limited. This study followed up a clinical ADHD sample longitudinally to examine: (1) the association between childhood irritability and later depression symptoms, and (2) whether irritability persistence is important in this association. At baseline, parents (n = 696) completed semi-structured interviews about their child (mean age = 10.9), providing information on child psychopathology, including irritability. A subsample (n = 249) was followed up after a mean of 5.4 years. Parent-completed Mood and Feelings Questionnaires provided information on depressive symptoms at follow-up. Parent-rated structured diagnostic interviews provided information on ADHD diagnosis and irritability at follow-up. Regression analyses examined associations between (i) baseline irritability and depression symptoms at follow-up, and (ii) persistent (vs. remitted) irritability and depression symptoms at follow-up. Analyses controlled for age, gender, depression symptoms, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and ADHD medication at baseline. Baseline irritability was associated with depression symptoms at follow-up, but the association attenuated after controlling for anxiety and ADHD symptoms. Persistent irritability was associated with depression symptoms at follow-up, after including all covariates. Children with ADHD with persistent irritability are at elevated risk of developing depression symptoms. They may be a target for early intervention and prevention of depression.

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Title: Irritability in ADHD: association with later depression symptoms
Authors: Olga Eyre
Lucy Riglin
Ellen Leibenluft
Argyris Stringaris
Stephan Collishaw
Anita Thapar
Publication date: 01-10-2019
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Affective Disorder
Anxiety Disorder
Affective Disorder
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 10/2019
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-019-01303-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Irritability in ADHD: association with later depression symptoms

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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