ADHD in Youth With Major Depressive Disorder in the Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN): Clinical Correlates and Moderators

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly found co-occurring in youth with depression, but few studies on ADHD have focused on a clinical sample of depressed youth. In this study, clinical features associated with depression plus ADHD were compared to those with depression alone to determine how co-occurring ADHD impacts youth with depression. Results showed that youth with depression and ADHD reported more severe depression, more suicidality, greater impulsivity, greater irritability, and worse school performance compared to youth with depression alone. However, ADHD diagnosis did not directly impact the relationship between depression and these outcomes, suggesting other factors may be more important predictors of mental health and related outcomes.