Psychopathological characteristics in ultra‐high risk for psychosis with and without comorbid ADHD

• Published in: Early intervention in psychiatry Vol. 18; no. 7; pp. 578 - 582
• Main Authors: Ribolsi, Michele, Prosperi Porta, Davide, Sacco, Roberto, Di Lorenzo, Giorgio, Fiori Nastro, Federico, Albergo, Giuliano, Di Lazzaro, Vincenzo, Costa, Anna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd 01.07.2024; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: ADHD; Adolescent; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - epidemiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - psychology; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; attenuated psychosis syndrome; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; neurodevelopmental disorders; Prodromal Symptoms; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychopathology; Psychosis; Psychotic Disorders - complications; Psychotic Disorders - diagnosis; Psychotic Disorders - epidemiology; Psychotic Disorders - psychology; Risk; Risk Factors; Young Adult; ADHD; comorbidity; attenuated psychosis syndrome; neurodevelopmental disorders; psychosis
• ISSN: 1751-7885; 1751-7893; 1751-7893
• DOI: 10.1111/eip.13539

Aim This study investigates the psychopathological characteristics of a sample of individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis with and without comorbid attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Twenty‐eight subjects (aged 13–21 years; 13 females) with attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS) were recruited in a cross‐sectional study and divided into two groups, each with 14 patients, according to the presence or absence of ADHD. Results The APS group showed a significantly higher prevalence of negative symptoms than the APS + ADHD group. Other characteristics investigated (positive symptoms, aberrant salience, psychotic‐like experiences and prodromal symptoms) did not differ between groups. Conclusions The different profiles of negative symptoms in the APS with or without ADHD might suggest the presence of a specific subtype among individuals at ultra‐high risk for psychosis. Longitudinal studies with larger samples will provide information about the role of negative symptoms in determining conversion to full psychosis in those people with ‘pure’ APS and those with APS + ADHD.