Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental
disorder that affects many people from childhood to adulthood. ADHD often
has many comorbid conditions, including mental health disorders.
Autism — sometimes referred to as “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD) — can
have some overlapping traits with ADHD. However, autism manifests on a wide
spectrum, with some individuals experiencing symptoms that can more
severely disrupt their quality of life.For this reason, professional healthcare providers may consider that
individuals with autism may face more difficulties in everyday life
compared to people with ADHD.
disorder that affects many people from childhood to adulthood. ADHD often
has many comorbid conditions, including mental health disorders.
Autism — sometimes referred to as “autism spectrum disorder” (ASD) — can
have some overlapping traits with ADHD. However, autism manifests on a wide
spectrum, with some individuals experiencing symptoms that can more
severely disrupt their quality of life.For this reason, professional healthcare providers may consider that
individuals with autism may face more difficulties in everyday life
compared to people with ADHD.
Researchers from the Universities of Bath, Bristol, and Cardiff, and King’s
College London — all in the United Kingdom — wanted to see whether people
who experience traits of either ADHD or autism also have symptoms of mental
health issues, such as depression or anxiety, and to what degree they
experience those symptoms.
Through questionnaires they analyzed, the researchers found that people
with traits of ADHD are more likely to internalize mental health
difficulties than people with autism.
