Abstract
Objective: The aim was to evaluate in-office discussions of ADHD and psychiatric comorbidities. Method: Naturally occurring interactions among 11 psychiatrists, 32 patients and their parents were recorded, with a focus on ĝ€complicatedĝ€ patients (i.e., having or suspected to have ĝÉ¥ 1 psychiatric comorbidities and/or learning disabilities in addition to ADHD). Participants were interviewed separately post visit. Transcripts were analyzed using validated sociolinguistic methodologies. Results: Some 62% of patients were male, with an average age of 12.5 years, and 79% had a family history of ADHD. Visits were psychiatrist-driven, focusing on medication management and school performance, leaving management of comorbidities largely unaddressed. Post visit, 78% of parents and psychiatrists disagreed on patients' ĝ€most concerning behavior.ĝ€ Parents most often reported concern about aggression and oppositionality. Psychiatrists and parents emphasized different aspects of patients' personality, using deficit- and strength-based models, respectively. Conclusion: Psychiatrists and parents interpreted the relationship between ADHD and comorbidities differently. The significant incidence of misalignment regarding worrisome behaviors warrants further exploration.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 78-86 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Journal of Attention Disorders |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Aggression
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Oppositionality
- Parentĝ€"child communication
- Sociolinguistics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Clinical Psychology