The Presence of Childhood Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder May Be Associated With Interpersonal Sensitivity in Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate a possible association between childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and interpersonal sensitivity in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The study involved 125 adult outpatients with a primary diagnosis of SAD. To evaluate childhood ADHD, the ADHD module of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) was used. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected and clinical rating scales were completed. Mean total scores on the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure were significantly higher in the group with SAD and ADHD than in the group with SAD without ADHD. Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure total scores were positively correlated with the severity of SAD symptoms and negatively correlated with mean age of onset of SAD. The presence of childhood ADHD may be associated with greater interpersonal sensitivity in patients with SAD.