What is the connection between ADHD, depression, and anxiety?

Takeaways from

Both depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as poor concentration, restlessness and anxiety, can share similar symptoms.
Most people with ADHD also have anxiety or depression.
Both ADHD and depression can be treated with medication and therapy.

Both ADHD and depression affect your feelings and behaviour. ADHD can cause hyperactivity and concentration problems, making it hard to control your behaviour. This can cause problems at school and work, where these environments require much attention.

Depression is characterized by feeling depressed and can also affect motivation, concentration, eating, sleeping, and sleep habits. To complicate matters, ADHD and depression can cause anxiety – especially if left undiagnosed and untreated.

ADHD and depression can cause a lot of problems for many people. Many different treatments and medications can help with both conditions.

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Can you have ADHD AND depression?

It is possible to suffer from both ADHD and depression. One study revealed that 18.6% of adults who had ADHD were also suffering from major depressive disorder. This is a form of depression where you feel sad nearly daily for at least two weeks. In the survey, 12.8% of those with ADHD also had dysthymic disorders. This is a milder form of depression lasting at least two years. It is now called a persistent depressive disorder. Depression can worsen ADHD symptoms.

It can be hard to tell if someone has ADHD and depression because specific symptoms overlap. Both conditions can cause difficulty with focus and concentration. People with ADHD are more likely to be able to concentrate on something they enjoy, such as a TV show or video game, while those with depression might find it difficult. Both conditions can make people appear restless or agitated. People with depression can appear nervous when they are anxious. However, people with ADHD will be scared that they cannot sit still, move around, climb, or fidget.

A person who is taking for ADHD can show signs of depression. These include a sad mood, irritability and facial expressions. Sometimes, these side effects of medication can be mistaken for depression.

Avoid jumping to conclusions if you are concerned about someone you know who may have ADHD and depression. Ask the adult you are concerned about how they are doing and if they feel depressed. If you’re worried about a child, having them evaluated and assessed by a mental healthcare professional will help determine if they suffer from depression.

Can ADHD cause depression?

Depression may be a result of ADHD in some adults and children. ADHD can lead to problems at school, work and relationships. Other people may be frustrated by the symptoms of the person. This can cause a person’s self-esteem to suffer, leading them to think, “I am not good enough”, “I am a failure”, and feel guilty and worthless.

Negative feelings and thoughts mark depression. Conflict or relationship problems due to ADHD may also cause you to isolate yourself from others, leading to depression.

Some people with ADHD may develop depression, while others do not. They have discovered that certain risks can be linked to both conditions. You may be at a greater risk of having both ADHD and major depression if you fit into any of the following categories:

Females
Being obese
Anxiety disorder
Substance Abuse Problems

You’re more likely to develop ADHD if you also have major depression disorder.

Conduct disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Substance abuse
Obesity

Can depression cause ADHD?

You might wonder if ADHD contributes to depression. This doesn’t appear to be true. According to research, depression cannot cause ADHD. For someone to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have symptoms before age 12. Depression can occur at any time.

ADHD is more likely to develop before depression, indicating that depression does not most likely cause ADHD.

Suicide is more likely in people with ADHD or depression.

People with ADHD and depression are at a higher risk of suicide. It is the same for men and women of all ages. ADHD patients often struggle to control their impulses. They are more likely than others to act on negative feelings and thoughts without thinking about the consequences.

The following are warning signs that you, or someone close to you, maybe at high risk of suicide:

Feeling sad or moody?
Think or talk about death
Hopelessness
Give away valuable items
Withdrawal of family and friends
Risky behaviors
Self-harming
Suicide means such as a gun or pills

You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you are feeling suicidal or if you have concerns about someone close to your heart. You can also talk with a trained counsellor online. The Lifeline is confidential and available 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

Treatment of ADHD and depression

If ADHD or depression are not treated, they can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and other illnesses. The treatment may be a combination of medication and therapy. Your choice of treatment may be based on your personal preferences and the recommendations of your healthcare provider. It could also depend on your symptoms’ severity, their impact on your life, or personal preferences.

The Right to Therapy

Both ADHD and depression are treated with therapy.

Depression can be treated using a variety of different therapies. Research studies have shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (ITP) are effective evidence-based treatments.

CBT helps you to identify unhealthy thinking patterns and learn new ways of coping with stress. ITP assumes there is a link between depression, relationship issues, and how to improve your relationships. This can help you alleviate depression.

CBT can also be used to treat ADHD. Therapy for people with ADHD focuses on improving attention, focus and organization. Therapy is an excellent treatment for ADHD and depression, as it works on both.

Find a therapist that specializes in treating both depression and ADHD. Ask your therapist about their experience treating both depression and ADHD.

Stimulant medication

ADHD could be linked to how certain neurotransmitters (messenger chemicals) function in the brain. These include norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Stimulants, a medication that increases neurotransmitter levels in the brain, may improve your brain’s performance.

Stimulants are the first treatment of ADHD. Common examples include:

Amphetamines (like Adderall or Vyvanse).
Methylphenidates

Research shows that if you suffer from ADHD, taking these medications can reduce your risk of developing depressive disorders.

Non-stimulant medicines

The FDA has approved Atomoxetine as the only non-stimulant medication for ADHD. It works by affecting the levels of norepinephrine linked to ADHD and depression. This medication can be beneficial for people who suffer from both conditions. It is also a stimulant. Antidepressants can also be used as a non-stimulant.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants, a class of medications, are most commonly prescribed to treat depression and anxiety. Antidepressants come in many different forms, including:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Tricyclics
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

SSRIs, which include paroxetine and fluoxetine (Prozac), are the most common antidepressants prescribed. These medications can be combined with stimulant ADHD medications to alleviate both symptoms.

These include: Some of these include:

Wellbutrin
Nortriptyline
(Norpramin),

Adderall, a stimulant medication for ADHD, can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

It depends. It depends. They are used as an addition treatment for depression. Stimulants can help reduce depression symptoms like fatigue and lack of concentration.

The stimulants themselves are not used to treat anxiety. May help with ADHD symptoms, but they do not seem to have much effect on anxiety symptoms. In some cases, they may even trigger stress in people.

As with depression, stimulants are sometimes used to treat anxiety in people taking antidepressants. This may be particularly helpful if you suffer from ADHD and anxiety disorders.

Can you have ADHD and anxiety at the same?

Yes. You can be diagnosed with ADHD and an anxiety disorder at the same. Up to 9 out of 10 adults with ADHD also suffer from anxiety or mood disorders.

These conditions can be challenging to distinguish. ADHD, anxiety and depression share many common symptoms.

Concentration problems
Physical Restlessness
Irritability
Feelings such as guilt, failure, or hopelessness

Check out our article to learn more about ADHD and anxiety. Understanding the similarities and differences between these conditions will help you find the best treatment.

Bottom line

A significant number of people live with both ADHD as well as depression. Sometimes, stress from ADHD can lead to depression or cause it, while other times, they are not related. Cognitive behavioural therapy and Atomoxetine are effective treatments for ADHD and depression. These treatments can be combined with other forms of therapy or ADHD or antidepressant medication.