The family histories of 140 children and adolescents with hyperactive
child syndrome were compared with the family histories of 91
psychiatrically ill, age- and sex-matched patients who had a primary
diagnosis other than hyperactive child syndrome. Parents of hyperactive
children were more likely to have antisocial personality and Briquet's
syndrome (hysteria) than were parents of nonhyperactive children; 11% of
the hyperactive children had a parent with such a diagnosis. Parents of
nonhyperactive children were more likely to have endogenous psychosis. The
diagnosis of alcoholism did not significantly differentiate parents of the
two groups of probands. These data support earlier studies and suggest a
specific association between hyperactive child syndrome and the personality
disorders of antisocial personality and hysteria.Abstract Teaser