ADHD and Schizophrenia: Similarities and Differences

Date: Dec-06-2016 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia are two different mental disorders.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition made up of behavioral symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. ADHD affects around 6.4 million children in the United States and often continues into adulthood.

ADHD is more common in boys than girls but is equal among men and women, which suggests girls may be under-diagnosed during childhood. ADHD symptoms usually begin before age 12.

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Schizophrenia affects around 3.5 million individuals in the U.S.

Schizophrenia is slightly more common in males than females. Symptoms may begin between ages 16 and 30.

Although ADHD and schizophrenia have many differences, there is also an overlap in symptoms and some similarities between the two disorders.

Contents of this article:

Is there a link between ADHD and schizophrenia?

Causes and risk factors

Symptoms of ADHD and schizophrenia

Tests and diagnosis

Treatments for ADHD and schizophrenia

Is there a link between ADHD and schizophrenia?

ADHD symptoms have been reported in individuals who develop schizophrenia in adulthood. Sometimes these symptoms are also seen in their children.

Some studies suggest a possible link between ADHD and schizophrenia.

Some possible links that have been found between ADHD and schizophrenia in studies include:

ADHD is diagnosed in numerous children at genetic risk of schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia often have symptoms of other psychiatric disorders in early adolescence and ADHD is one of the most frequently reported

Childhood ADHD diagnosis may be more a better predictor of adulthood schizophrenia than depression

Children with ADHD are at a high risk of developing a wide range of psychiatric disorders

Children and teenagers with ADHD could be 4.3 times more likely to develop schizophrenia as adults than people without ADHD

Stress-inducing factors may be associated with both ADHD and schizophrenia and may affect proper brain development of a child before birth

ADHD and schizophrenia occurring together might be due to shared genetic factors

Alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation in people with schizophrenia are also found in ADHD.

Causes and risk factors

The cause of ADHD is not clear. Factors that may be involved include:

Genetics: Research indicates that ADHD can run in families and genes may play a role

Environment: Environmental factors, such as exposure to toxic materials

Development: Problems with the central nervous system at important stages of development

The cause of schizophrenia is unknown. Factors that may increase the chances of developing schizophrenia include:

Genetics: Schizophrenia can run in families. Different combinations of genes might make people more at risk from the condition.

Brain development: Research shows that some individuals with schizophrenia have subtle differences in brain structure.

Neurotransmitters. An imbalance between the chemical messengers in the brain - dopamine and serotonin - may be connected to schizophrenia. Research shows that drugs that alter the levels of these chemicals relieve schizophrenia symptoms.

Pregnancy and birth complications: A low birth weight, premature labor, or lacking oxygen during birth are more likely to have happened to people with schizophrenia before or during their birth.

Risk factors

Risk factors for ADHD include:

A family history of ADHD or another mental health disorder

Exposure to certain substances while in the womb

Lack of certain nutrients

Psychosocial factors

Premature birth or low birth weight

Maternal stress during pregnancy

Maternal smoking during pregnancy

Alcohol and drug use during pregnancy

Deficiency in folate, zinc, magnesium and polyunsaturated acids

Risk factors for schizophrenia include:

A family history of schizophrenia

Exposure to certain substance just before birth

Nutritional deficits

Infections during pregnancy

Premature birth or low birth weight

Deficiency in iron and vitamin D resulting in decreased choline during pregnancy

An increase in immune system activity from inflammation or autoimmune disease

Taking mind-altering drugs as teenagers or young adults

Similarities and differences

In addition to some of the shared risk factors for ADHD and schizophrenia above, a study found that autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, major depression, and schizophrenia share the same genetic risk factors.

A variation in one of the genes they share is known to impact the brain circuitry involved in emotion, thinking, attention, and memory.

Symptoms of ADHD and schizophrenia

There are two categories of ADHD symptoms: inattentiveness and hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

ADHD symptoms relate to either inattentiveness or hyperactivity.

Symptoms of inattentiveness include:

Short attention span, easily distracted

Makes careless mistakes during activities

Not appearing to listen when spoken to directly

Unable to follow instructions and complete tasks

Problems with organizing tasks

Seeming forgetful or frequently losing things

Avoiding tasks that require mental effort

Symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness include:

Unable to sit still, always fidgeting

Unable to engage in leisure activities quietly

Lacking concentration

Excessive talking

Interrupting or intruding on other people's conversations or activities

Restlessness, excessive running, or climbing in inappropriate situations

Acting without thinking

Little to no sense of danger

There are three categories of schizophrenia symptoms: positive, negative, and cognitive.

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include:

Hallucinations

Delusions, such as believing that they are being pursued by the government

Paranoid thoughts

Agitated or excessive body movements

Agitated or inappropriate behavior

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia include:

Social withdrawal

Not caring about appearance and personal hygiene

Reduced expression of emotion

Losing interest and motivation

Trouble concentrating, sleep changes, and feeling unable to leave the house

Reduced conversation and speaking

Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia include:

Confused or disorganized thoughts

Inability to understand information and make decisions

Lacking focus and attention

Problems with being able to use learned information immediately

Similarities and differences

In cases where the symptoms of ADHD and schizophrenia do not fall into the standard categories, the two conditions may be difficult to separate.

Schizophrenia does not typically have hyperactivity as a key feature, but then many people with ADHD are not hyperactive either.

People with schizophrenia often experience psychotic episodes which include hallucinations, delusions, and disturbed thoughts. While these symptoms are not typical of ADHD, around 10 percent of people with ADHD have psychotic symptoms.

The stimulant drugs that treat the condition may trigger these psychotic symptoms.

Thought disorders have also been shown in both schizophrenia and ADHD among teenagers.

Some people who are genetically at a high risk of schizophrenia meet the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD.

Impaired attention is a defining trait of ADHD and is usually also seen in people with schizophrenia.

Tests and diagnosis

There is no specific test to diagnose ADHD. A doctor will ask about medical history, ask questions about symptoms, and conduct a medical exam to rule out other causes. The doctor will then compare symptoms with ADHD criteria and rating scales to make a diagnosis.

ADHD is usually diagnosed in childhood.

To diagnose schizophrenia, a doctor will ask about medical history, ask questions about symptoms, and ensure that symptoms are not due to medication, substance abuse, or another medical condition.

Alcohol and drug screenings may be conducted and imaging studies, such as an MRI or CT scan, may be requested by a doctor.

A doctor or mental health professional may perform a psychiatric evaluation and compare symptoms with diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is usually diagnosed in the late teenage years to the early 20s for men, and late 20s to early 30s for women.

Treatments for ADHD and schizophrenia

There is no cure for ADHD, but treatments can relieve many of its symptoms. Treatments may include:

ADHD and schizophrenia are treated with different types of medication.

Stimulant drugs - these may boost and balance brain chemical levels

Non-stimulant drugs - these take longer to work than stimulants, but can improve attention, focus, and impulsivity

Psychotherapy - behavioral therapy can help people with ADHD manage and change their behavior

There is also no cure for schizophrenia, but medications and psychosocial therapy can help manage its symptoms. Treatments may include:

Antipsychotic drugs - these may affect the brain chemical dopamine to control symptoms

Psychosocial therapy - a combination of psychotherapy and social and work-related training to provide support, education, and guidance to people with schizophrenia

Hospitalization - during periods of severe symptoms

Electroconvulsive therapy - for people who are unresponsive to drug therapy

Similarities and differences

Although ADHD and schizophrenia share some of the same symptoms, they are treated differently.

ADHD is treated with stimulants that increase dopamine levels in the brain. Schizophrenia is treated with antipsychotics that block the effect of dopamine.

Outlook

Symptoms of ADHD often improve with age, although some adults continue to experience problems. Most people with schizophrenia recover from their symptoms, although some will experience the occasional return of symptoms, known as a relapse.

A person with schizophrenia may also have ADHD, but there is no evidence that one condition causes the other. Research shows that there is a connection between ADHD and schizophrenia, but the exact link between the two needs more investigation.

Written by Hannah Nichols

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.