Attentional problems occur across multiple psychiatric disorders and are not specific for ADHD

Abstract

Objective Attentional problems are common and have been associated with multiple psychiatric disorders. This study examined problems of sustained attention across a range of psychiatric disorders using a validated computerized trans-diagnostic attentional paradigm (a continuous performance task). We hypothesized that multiple psychiatric disorders, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), would be associated with pronounced attentional problems. Methods Totally, 576 non-treatment seeking participants (aged 18–29 years) were enrolled from general community settings, provided demographic variables, and underwent clinical assessments to detect mental health disorders. Each participant underwent the rapid visual information processing task, a validated computerized test measuring sustained attention. The two measures of sustained attention were the sensitivity index and target detection (proportion of targets detected). The profile of attentional deficits was examined across different disorders using z-scores relative to controls. Results Participants with social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bulimia nervosa, and intermittent explosive disorder showed the greater impairment in target sensitivity, all with effect sizes of at least 0.8. Target detection was impaired across multiple disorders, with OCD and binge eating disorder exhibiting the most pronounced impairment. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and compulsive sexual behavior were associated with particularly spared performance on both measures. Discussion These data indicate that impaired attention is non-specific for ADHD and in fact several other disorders are associated with markedly larger deficits. Instead of clinicians assuming sustained attention problems are due to ADHD, a variety of disorders should be screened for when people report attentional problems. Future work should examine the contribution of comorbidities and psychoactive substances (prescribed or illicit) to the profiles identified.

Attention deficits as a key player in the symptomatology of posttraumatic stress disorder: A review

“…In a similar vein, adults with PTSD may receive a diagnosis of ADHD when they show distinct hyperarousal symptoms, including severe attentional dysfunction. Research has proven that impaired sustained attention is non‐specific for ADHD and common among multiple other psychiatric disorders, including PTSD (Grant & Chamberlain, 2022). Indeed, the body of research included in this current review shows that attentional difficulties are neither rare nor limited to higher‐order attentional networks among individuals with PTSD.…”

Cognitive functions of adults with ADHD

“…For this purpose, it would be relevant to derive a but also in individuals with other psychiatric conditions. Previous studies showed consistent findings that attention deficits were not specific for ADHD but occur across multiple psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and schizophrenia (Carter et al, 2010;Grant & Chamberlain, 2022;Tetik et al, 2022;Wang, Zhou, & Zhu, 2020). These findings indicate that attention deficits may be in the center of neuropsychological syndromes and a core clinical feature in a wide range of psychiatric disorders other than ADHD, which further complicates differential diagnosis.…”