The age at onset of affective illness in 56 adults with a history of bipolar disorder was studied in relation to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood, at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. The age at onset of the first affective episode was lower in the 8 subjects with bipolar disorder and a history of childhood ADHD (mean 12.1 years) than for 8 subjects without a history of childhood ADHD (mean 20 years). [1]
COMMENT. ADHD in children of adults with bipolar disorder might be a risk factor for the early development of bipolar disorder.