Thematic analysis identifies diagnostic challenges and treatment variability in adolescents with ADHD, suggesting integrated approaches.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is frequently accompanied by a range of comorbid conditions, including psychiatric, medical, and neurodevelopmental disorders. These comorbidities complicate diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes, making ADHD in adolescents a particularly challenging condition to manage. Despite extensive research, the literature remains fragmented, with studies often focusing on isolated comorbid conditions rather than an integrated understanding of ADHD’s multidimensional nature. A thematic synthesis of existing reviews is necessary to consolidate knowledge and guide future clinical and research directions. This study aims to systematically analyze and synthesize findings from systematic and narrative reviews on ADHD comorbidity in adolescents. Specifically, it examines diagnostic challenges, treatment variability, shared neurobiological mechanisms, emerging comorbidities, and methodological limitations to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding ADHD’s complex comorbidity landscape. A manual thematic analysis was conducted on 16 free full-text review articles retrieved from PubMed. Articles were selected using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed through an inductive-deductive coding approach. Thematic saturation was achieved through iterative coding, resulting in five overarching themes. The analysis revealed five key themes: (1) diagnostic complexity and symptom overlap, (2) treatment variability and challenges in pharmacotherapy, (3) neurobiological and developmental underpinnings, (4) emerging comorbidities and psychosocial implications, and (5) methodological limitations and research gaps. These themes collectively reveal that ADHD-related comorbidities often reflect overlapping symptom domains, shared neurobiological vulnerabilities, and inconsistent treatment responses, underscoring the need for integrated diagnostic frameworks and personalized interventions. The findings underscore the need for integrated diagnostic approaches, personalized treatment strategies, and standardized research methodologies. Addressing these gaps will improve clinical outcomes and advance research on ADHD comorbidity in adolescents.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Giannakopoulos et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: