Developmental Trajectories of Adult ADHD: From Emotional Dysregulation To Bipolarity

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is characterized by an heterogeneous and atypical presentation, notably with less externalizing and hyperactive symptoms and with a higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities. From a clinical perspective, the symptomatologic dimension that is more frequently associated with adult ADHD is Emotional Dysregulation (ED), often displaying with low frustration tolerance, impulsivity, irritability and affect and mood lability. This this mood instability, from a personological standpoint, is typically recognized as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or, due to worsening of symptoms, as a disorder of the bipolar spectrum. To date there are limited investigations into the expressions of Adult ADHD, and the dimensional correlates and medical outcomes. The aim of this study is to explore the correlates of the presence of low and high level of ED and BPD in a sample of adult ADHD patients and their relationship with clinical, temperamental characteristics and bipolar spectrum comorbidities. The multiple logistic regression analyses, showed that the variables mostly associated with the RIPoSt Total score (higher ED) were female gender (p=0.011), cyclothymic (p