The purpose of this study was to examine anxiety and depression in collegiate athletes with ADHD, a history of concussion, a history of concussion and ADHD, and controls. We hypothesized collegiate athletes with ADHD with history of concussion would report higher levels of anxiety and depression than other athletes.
602 NCAA Division-I college athletes at the University of South Carolina (USC) were surveyed as part of a larger athlete performance health and wellness program. We obtained ADHD diagnoses and physician-diagnosed concussions from athlete medical records. Athletes completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STA-I), and Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Athletes were divided into four groups: 1) those with ADHD with a history of concussion; 2) those with ADHD without a history of concussion; 3) those with a history of concussion but no ADHD; and 4) athletes with neither a history of concussion nor ADHD.
Analyses revealed that individuals with ADHD and history of concussion reported significantly greater state anxiety, and depression scores than all other groups.
ADHD plus concussion may have a synergistic effect on state anxiety and depression beyond that of either ADHD or concussion alone. Athletes with ADHD should be monitored with this in mind, as they may be more susceptible to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression following a concussion. Importantly, clinicians should evaluate the mental health of athletes following concussion.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is Associated with Increased Anxiety and Depression in Concussed College Athletes