A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity

Introduction Dissociative identity disorder(DID) is characterized by the existence of two or more distinct identities which involve changes in consciousness, emotion, memory, and behavior. It is associated with childhood traumatic experiences and other psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in DID can...

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Main Authors: E.F. Aydın, T. Koca Laçin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022-06-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822011968/type/journal_article
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author E.F. Aydın
T. Koca Laçin
author_facet E.F. Aydın
T. Koca Laçin
author_sort E.F. Aydın
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Dissociative identity disorder(DID) is characterized by the existence of two or more distinct identities which involve changes in consciousness, emotion, memory, and behavior. It is associated with childhood traumatic experiences and other psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in DID can lead to complex clinical presentations, poor treatment responses. Thus, it is crucial to identify patients with comorbidity and take them into the treatment plan. Objectives We aim to report a case of DID and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) comorbidity. Methods A case report is presented alongside a review of the relevant literature regarding “dissociative identity disorder” and “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”. Results We describe the case of a 39-year-old woman with DID, onsetting at age 25, who had consistently responded poorly to long-term psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. She presented with anxiety, distinct personality states, alterations in memory, consciousness and behavior problems in functioning, and high Dissociative Experiences Scale(DES) scores. Throughout the interviews, we noticed that she had limited attention, excess movements. After a detailed evaluation, diagnosis of ADHD is established, using the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD(DIVA) and ADHD Self-Reporting Scale(ASRS). Methylphenidate was prescribed in addition to previous medication. İmprovement in the severity of both ADHD and DID symptoms was presented with lower scores in DES and ASRS after the introduction of methylphenidate with progressive dose adjusting till 60mg/day. Conclusions Although previous studies demonstrated ADHD symptoms are related to dissociation, there is no well-established strategy for this. We believe that this case report provides a better approach to the comorbidity of ADHD and DID. Disclosure No significant relationships.
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spelling doaj.art-1364d3f2adeb49fa933b5e5925c1fe1d2023-11-17T05:05:49ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852022-06-0165S471S47110.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.1196A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidityE.F. Aydın0T. Koca Laçin1University of Atatürk, Department Of Mental Health And Diseases, Erzurum, TurkeyUniversity of Atatürk, Department Of Mental Health And Diseases, Erzurum, Turkey Introduction Dissociative identity disorder(DID) is characterized by the existence of two or more distinct identities which involve changes in consciousness, emotion, memory, and behavior. It is associated with childhood traumatic experiences and other psychiatric disorders. Comorbidity in DID can lead to complex clinical presentations, poor treatment responses. Thus, it is crucial to identify patients with comorbidity and take them into the treatment plan. Objectives We aim to report a case of DID and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) comorbidity. Methods A case report is presented alongside a review of the relevant literature regarding “dissociative identity disorder” and “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder”. Results We describe the case of a 39-year-old woman with DID, onsetting at age 25, who had consistently responded poorly to long-term psychotherapy and pharmacological treatment. She presented with anxiety, distinct personality states, alterations in memory, consciousness and behavior problems in functioning, and high Dissociative Experiences Scale(DES) scores. Throughout the interviews, we noticed that she had limited attention, excess movements. After a detailed evaluation, diagnosis of ADHD is established, using the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD(DIVA) and ADHD Self-Reporting Scale(ASRS). Methylphenidate was prescribed in addition to previous medication. İmprovement in the severity of both ADHD and DID symptoms was presented with lower scores in DES and ASRS after the introduction of methylphenidate with progressive dose adjusting till 60mg/day. Conclusions Although previous studies demonstrated ADHD symptoms are related to dissociation, there is no well-established strategy for this. We believe that this case report provides a better approach to the comorbidity of ADHD and DID. Disclosure No significant relationships. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822011968/type/journal_articledisorder comorbidityDissociative Identity disorderAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disordermethylphenidate
spellingShingle E.F. Aydın
T. Koca Laçin
A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
European Psychiatry
disorder comorbidity
Dissociative Identity disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
methylphenidate
title A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
title_full A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
title_fullStr A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
title_full_unstemmed A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
title_short A case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
title_sort case of dissociative identity disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder comorbidity
topic disorder comorbidity
Dissociative Identity disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
methylphenidate
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933822011968/type/journal_article
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