ADHD og traumer. Sammenhenger og utfordringer i klinisk praksis med barn
Sammanfattning
ADHD is the most common diagnosis in child and adolescent mental health services. Traumatic experiences are common in childhood but rarely mentioned in referrals. In this unsystematic literature review we examine the relationships between ADHD and childhood trauma. Research shows similar symptoms in children with ADHD and traumatised children, including attention deficits, poor executive functioning, affective dysregulation and behavioural problems. ADHD and trauma also often co-occur. ADHD may increase the risk of exposure to traumatising events or of developing posttraumatic symptoms. Trauma may also serve as a risk factor for the development of ADHD, possibly due to the impact of early stress on brain development. Overlapping symptoms may lead to errors in diagnosis and inadequate treatment. There is a lack of national guidelines concerning differential diagnosis and treatment of comorbid conditions. We discuss implications for evaluation and treatment.