Evaluation of clinical and suicidal behavior characteristics among urban, Turkish middle-age depressive patients with comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND: In the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) together with additional psychiatric diseases, the treatment process and prognosis of both ADHD and psychiatric comorbidity are adversely affected. AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare the characteristics concerning suicidal behavior of the patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder either having (ADHD(+)) or not having (ADHD(−)) adult ADHD comorbidity and their responses to depression treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-six inpatients were included in the study. Sociodemographic data form, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS), the Adult ADD/ADHD DSM IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale, and the Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) were applied to the cases. RESULTS: HDRS scores were found to be significantly high (P < 0.000) in the ADHD(+) group during admission and discharge. However, there was no difference found in terms of PSP scores (P = 0.46) during discharge. In the ADHD(+) group, the depressive episode started at an earlier age (P < 0.011). The idea of suicide (P < 0.018) and suicidal attempts (P < 0.022) was found to be higher in this group compared to the ADHD(−) group. ADHD(+) patients had more suicidal attempts requiring more medical intervention (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Depression starts at an early age in individuals with comorbid ADHD diagnosis, and the progress of the depression treatment changes negatively. This patient group is at greater risk in terms of suicidal behavior. Therefore, it should be considered by the clinicians that ADHD can associate with depression while making the follow-up plans for the cases diagnosed with depression.