Introduction .– Attention deficit with or without hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. To our knowledge, racing thoughts, usually described in manic episodes of bipolar disorder (BD), have never been quantitatively assessed in patients with ADHD, although patients often complain of ‘mental hyperactivity’ and thought pressure. We investigated racing thoughts in patients with ADHD compared to healthy controls and manic patients with BD, and assessed the relationship between racing thoughts, ADHD symp- toms, mood instability, and insomnia. Methods .– 37 unmedicated adults with ADHD, 89 controls, and 42 manic BD patients filled out the Racing and Crowded Thought Questionnaire (RCTQ), a 34 item self-report scale (range 0 to 136). Circadian variability of racing thoughts was assessed via a Likert scale. Results .– RCTQ score was higher in ADHD patients compared to controls (83.84 vs. 11.14; P < .001), but also manic patients (52.38, P < .05). ADHD patients reported that racing thoughts were more severe in the evening and at bedtime. In ADHD patients, RCTQ score was positively correlated with insomnia scores ( r = .35, P < .05), inattentive and impulsivity/hyperactivity symptoms (respectively, r = .67 and r = .46, P < .01) and mood instability ( r = .39, P < .05). Discussion .– Racing thoughts are an important clinical feature of ADHD. Compared to mania, increased self-reported racing thoughts in ADHD suggests that they are perceived as more distressing. Moreover, in ADHD racing thoughts are associated with more severe symptoms, mood instability and sleep disorders. Future studies should focus on the characteristics of racing thoughts in ADHD, as they might be related to poorer clinical outcomes. Disclosure of interest .– The authors have not supplied a conflict of interest statement.

Racing thoughts in adults with ADHD: a neglected symptom associated with mood instability and insomnia / Weiner, L; Ossola, P; Causin, Jb; Kraemer, C; Bertschy, G; Weibel, S. - In: EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY. - ISSN 1778-3585. - (2018). (Intervento presentato al convegno 26th EPA Conference tenutosi a Nice, France nel 3-6 March 2018) [10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.12.016].

Racing thoughts in adults with ADHD: a neglected symptom associated with mood instability and insomnia

Ossola P;
2018-01-01

Abstract

Introduction .– Attention deficit with or without hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. To our knowledge, racing thoughts, usually described in manic episodes of bipolar disorder (BD), have never been quantitatively assessed in patients with ADHD, although patients often complain of ‘mental hyperactivity’ and thought pressure. We investigated racing thoughts in patients with ADHD compared to healthy controls and manic patients with BD, and assessed the relationship between racing thoughts, ADHD symp- toms, mood instability, and insomnia. Methods .– 37 unmedicated adults with ADHD, 89 controls, and 42 manic BD patients filled out the Racing and Crowded Thought Questionnaire (RCTQ), a 34 item self-report scale (range 0 to 136). Circadian variability of racing thoughts was assessed via a Likert scale. Results .– RCTQ score was higher in ADHD patients compared to controls (83.84 vs. 11.14; P < .001), but also manic patients (52.38, P < .05). ADHD patients reported that racing thoughts were more severe in the evening and at bedtime. In ADHD patients, RCTQ score was positively correlated with insomnia scores ( r = .35, P < .05), inattentive and impulsivity/hyperactivity symptoms (respectively, r = .67 and r = .46, P < .01) and mood instability ( r = .39, P < .05). Discussion .– Racing thoughts are an important clinical feature of ADHD. Compared to mania, increased self-reported racing thoughts in ADHD suggests that they are perceived as more distressing. Moreover, in ADHD racing thoughts are associated with more severe symptoms, mood instability and sleep disorders. Future studies should focus on the characteristics of racing thoughts in ADHD, as they might be related to poorer clinical outcomes. Disclosure of interest .– The authors have not supplied a conflict of interest statement.
2018
Racing thoughts in adults with ADHD: a neglected symptom associated with mood instability and insomnia / Weiner, L; Ossola, P; Causin, Jb; Kraemer, C; Bertschy, G; Weibel, S. - In: EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY. - ISSN 1778-3585. - (2018). (Intervento presentato al convegno 26th EPA Conference tenutosi a Nice, France nel 3-6 March 2018) [10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.12.016].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2855051
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