ADHD and child sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse is a worldwide important phenomenon. Prevalence rates of sexual child abuse vary greatly. Results of studies show a higher number of female victims (girls) in cases of sexual abuse compared to the number of male victims (boys). As a consequence many victims display other behavioral problems, which do not specifically refer to sexual abuse. Symptoms of acute stress disorders or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse-/addiction, and other psychiatric disorders are considered as common sequelae. In addition to female gender, age constitutes a major risk factor. There is a greater risk for older children to experience sexual abuse. Results of studies indicate associations between ADHD and child sexual abuse, higher rates of ADHD diagnoses are typical for patients who suffered a sexual abuse compared to the standard population. Female ADHD patients often claimed to have experienced abuse in their childhood or adolescence. Results of recent studies do not consistently point in the same direction. The results also depend on methods employed. Further systematic studies are recommended.