Anxiety disorders in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Aim: to assess the prevalence and presentations of anxiety in preschool children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Patients and Methods: preschoolers (4-6 years) and their parents were enrolled. 30 children with ADHD and their parents were included in the study group and 15 healthy children and their parents were included in the control group. The study was performed in Moscow kindergartens. Clinical anamnestic, experimental psychological (Р. Temple, М. Dorkey, and E.W. Amen anxiety test adapted by VM. Astapov; “Fears in Houses” test modified by MA. Panfilova; questionnaire for anxiety in children for a teacher and parents by G.P. Lavrent’eva and T.M. Titarenko), and statistical tests were applied. Results: in children with ADHD, a significantly higher level of anxiety was reported as demonstrated by Р. Temple, М. Dorkey, and E.W. Amen anxiety test results (i.e., the test completed by children themselves). The percentage of children with 15 fears or more was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. Most preschoolers from both groups experience so-called age-related fears. In addition, age-inappropriate social fears (e.g., a fear of punishment or a fear of being late for kindergarten) were revealed in children with ADHD. These fears were much more common in the study group compared to the control group. Conclusions: our findings demonstrate a higher level of anxiety in children with ADHD compared to healthy children. Therefore, anxiety may be regarded as an ADHD-associated factor. In addition to typical age-related fears, children with ADHD experience so-called social fears. This phenomenon illustrates a fear of disapproval and punishment and a propensity for low self-esteem.