High self-perceived stress and many stressors, but normal diurnal cortisol rhythm, in adults with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). Hirvikoski, T., Lindholm, T., Nordenström, A., Nordström, A., & Lajic, S. Hormones and behavior, 55(3):418–24, March, 2009.
High self-perceived stress and many stressors, but normal diurnal cortisol rhythm, in adults with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder). [link]Paper  doi  abstract   bibtex   
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is associated with significant impairment in many life activities and may thus increase the risk of chronic stress in everyday life. We compared adults with a DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis (n=28) with healthy controls (n=28) regarding subjective stress and amounts of stressors in everyday life, diurnal salivary cortisol in the everyday environment and salivary cortisol before and after cognitive stress in a laboratory setting. The association between cortisol concentrations and impulsivity was also investigated. Consistent with assumptions, individuals with ADHD reported significantly more self-perceived stress than controls, and subjective stress correlated with the amount of stressors in everyday life. The two groups were comparable with respect to overall diurnal cortisol levels and rhythm, as well as in pre- and post-stress cortisol concentrations. Post-stress cortisol (but not baseline cortisol) concentration was positively correlated with impulsivity. The group with high post-stress cortisol also reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as self-perceived stress and stressors in every-day life. The diagnosis of ADHD significantly increased the risk of belonging to the group with high post-stress cortisol levels. The results in this study warrant a focus not only on the primary diagnosis of ADHD, but also calls for a broader assessment of stressors and subjective stress in everyday life, as well as support comprising stress management and coping skills.
@article{hirvikoski_high_2009,
	title = {High self-perceived stress and many stressors, but normal diurnal cortisol rhythm, in adults with {ADHD} (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).},
	volume = {55},
	issn = {1095-6867},
	url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19162030},
	doi = {10.1016/j.yhbeh.2008.12.004},
	abstract = {Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults is associated with significant impairment in many life activities and may thus increase the risk of chronic stress in everyday life. We compared adults with a DSM-IV ADHD diagnosis (n=28) with healthy controls (n=28) regarding subjective stress and amounts of stressors in everyday life, diurnal salivary cortisol in the everyday environment and salivary cortisol before and after cognitive stress in a laboratory setting. The association between cortisol concentrations and impulsivity was also investigated. Consistent with assumptions, individuals with ADHD reported significantly more self-perceived stress than controls, and subjective stress correlated with the amount of stressors in everyday life. The two groups were comparable with respect to overall diurnal cortisol levels and rhythm, as well as in pre- and post-stress cortisol concentrations. Post-stress cortisol (but not baseline cortisol) concentration was positively correlated with impulsivity. The group with high post-stress cortisol also reported more symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as self-perceived stress and stressors in every-day life. The diagnosis of ADHD significantly increased the risk of belonging to the group with high post-stress cortisol levels. The results in this study warrant a focus not only on the primary diagnosis of ADHD, but also calls for a broader assessment of stressors and subjective stress in everyday life, as well as support comprising stress management and coping skills.},
	number = {3},
	urldate = {2014-05-26},
	journal = {Hormones and behavior},
	author = {Hirvikoski, Tatja and Lindholm, Torun and Nordenström, Anna and Nordström, Anna-Lena and Lajic, Svetlana},
	month = mar,
	year = {2009},
	pmid = {19162030},
	keywords = {Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Anxiety: psychology, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity: met, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity: psy, Circadian Rhythm, Circadian Rhythm: physiology, Depression, Depression: psychology, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hydrocortisone: metabolism, Impulsive Behavior, Impulsive Behavior: psychology, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Self Concept, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress, Psychological, Stress, Psychological: metabolism, Stress, Psychological: psychology, Young Adult},
	pages = {418--24},
}

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