A Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes (Mimic) Model of Inattentive and Hyperactive Symptoms in a Representative Sample of British Children and Young People

Background: ADHD, when assessed using DSM IV criteria, is the most prevalent behavioral disorder (5%) in the United Kingdom (UK). Evidence is emerging that a percentage of children presenting with complex traumarelated symptoms may be misdiagnosed as having ADHD. However, the estimated prevalence is considerably lower (1.5%) when ICD-10 criteria are used to assess HKD. It is currently not known whether risk for misdiagnosis is an issue when the narrower ICD-10 criteria are used. This study aimed to systematically investigate these issues in order to investigate if: (1) significant associations between maltreatment exposures and ADHD symptom severity and HKD diagnosis were evident; (2) the percentage of trauma exposed HKD diagnosed cases whose parents reported an etiological link between trauma exposures and (a) symptom onset and (b) persistence of symptoms; (3) the percentage of trauma exposed HKD cases who were being treated with Methylphenidate or Dexamphetamine.