Psychosis in adults with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder at acute psychiatric wards

Abstract

Background and objectives

Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been increasingly reported in recent literature. In the present study, the prevalence and duration of psychotic symptoms, comorbid psychotic disorders, and clinical characteristics of adults with ASD and ADHD were retrospectively examined via a chart review.

Methods

The participants were 98 adults (mean age, 28.5 years; 72 men) who were admitted to the psychiatric emergency wards of Showa University Karasuyama Hospital, and who were diagnosed with ASD and/or ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria.

Results

Among 69 individuals with ASD, 21 (30.4%) experienced psychotic symptoms, and among 29 individuals with ADHD, 5 (17.2%) exhibited psychosis. While all psychotic symptoms were classified as transient and none had comorbidity with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in adults with ADHD, 38.1% of psychosis was classified as prolonged and 10.3% had comorbidity with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in adults with ASD.

Conclusion

The results showed that a significant proportion of adults with ASD and ADHD experience psychosis during their course of illness, and provide evidence for the existence of a shared etiology between neurodevelopmental and psychotic disorders.