A Review of ADHD and Childhood Trauma: Treatment Challenges and Clinical Guidance

Purpose of Review: There has been increasing interest about the link between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and childhood trauma. This scoping review highlights the relationship between ADHD and trauma-related disorders across the areas of epidemiology, neurobiology, clinical features, assessment, and treatment. Recent Findings: A bi-directional relationship exists between trauma-related disorders and ADHD, with each predisposing to development of the other, and worsening the severity of the other. There are evidence-based psychosocial interventions for both ADHD and trauma-related disorders. There is evidence to support the use of alpha-2 agonists in both trauma-related disorders and ADHD. Summary: There are significant similarities between these two constructs. The treatment of this co-morbid presentation is complex as it depends on the age of the child, clinical presentation, social support, and available treatment. Distinct evidence-based psychotherapies are effective for each condition. Pharmacological treatments for these conditions should be considered based on symptom profile and associated impairment.