Comorbidity/overlapping between ADHD and PTSD in relation to IQ among children of traumatized/non-traumatized parents.

Objective: This study explores the comorbidity between symptoms of ADHD and PTSD in relation to IQ among refugee children of traumatized parents (TP) and non-traumatized parents (NTP). Method: The study compares 80 refugee children, 40 with TP with 40 with NTP. ADHD and PTSD are assessed using DICA. Children's cognitive functions are measured by WISC. Teacher ratings of YCI and SDQ are performed. Results: Overlapping between ADHD and PTSD symptoms are represented among children with TP. Cognitive functions, related to ADHD and PTSD, reveal associations between low IQ (<84) and having both ADHD and PTSD among children with TP. Conclusions: Concerns are raised about how ADHD and PTSD symptoms in a child are to be interpreted. Some overlapping exists between the two syndromes, but further studies should determine whether true comorbidity exists between ADHD and PTSD symptoms to better understand how to correctly diagnose and treat refugee children with TP. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 13(2) 188-196)