Abstract
Prior research has consistently documented elevated rates of comorbid mood and anxiety disorders in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder （ADHD）. However, there remains a limited body of literature examining the manifestation of mood and anxiety symptoms in adults with ADHD who do not have comorbid mental disorders. This study aims to explore the potential vulnerability of adults with ADHD, unburdened by comorbid mental conditions, to the development of mood and anxiety disorders. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of mood and anxiety disorder symptoms in a cohort comprising 61 adults diagnosed with ADHD, who did not exhibit comorbid mental disorders, and matched them for age and gender with 64 neurotypical control participants. This investigation involved scrutinizing the interplay between emotional symptoms and those characteristic of ADHD. Substantial disparities emerged across all symptom rating scales when comparing the ADHD group to the control group. Regarding gender distinctions within the ADHD cohort, females exhibited a heightened susceptibility, demonstrating a propensity to manifest more severe symptoms compared to their male counterparts. Notably, the ADHD group displayed more pronounced correlations among emotional symptoms and those associated with ADHD. The most marked differences between the two groups were observed in the scores of Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale （BSDS） and state anxiety assessments. The findings from this study provide compelling evidence that adults with ADHD, unencumbered by comorbid mental disorders, exhibit significantly more pronounced mood and anxiety symptoms when compared to their mentally healthy counterparts. These results underscore a noteworthy vulnerability among this population to the eventual development of mood and anxiety disorders, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions and vigilant monitoring in clinical practice.
