If you have ADHD and are noticing some signs alongside it, such as feeling sad, restlessness, guilt, etc, or a question comes to mind: Why do I feel so sad with ADHD? Then, there is a chance you may have depression alongside it.
This term is referred to as comorbid. And you are not alone if you find yourself in this condition. Studies show that 18.6% to 53.3% of people with ADHD also have depression, but the thing is, most of them don’t even realize it. And to some extent, identifying depression alongside ADHD is complicated because both have similar signs. By remaining hidden for a long time, this comorbidity affects people’s lives badly at every stage of life, resulting in low focus, poor emotional control, extreme tiredness, and more.
Today’s guide reveals the connection between ADHD and depression, explores the underlying causes, understands the symptoms, and answers the most common question: does ADHD cause depression?
What is ADHD?
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a mental health disorder; in clinical and research terms, it is referred to as a heterogeneous disorder. It is a condition that affects a person’s ability to maintain focus, remain attentive, and complete tasks. Also, it has an impact on memory.
ADHD is a lifelong condition, commonly diagnosed in children and over time becomes severe, persisting into adulthood. 70 % of childhood ADHD turns into adult ADHD, according to recent studies published by the National Library of Medicine. Explore the top fact explained in this guide regarding whether ADHD gets worse with age.
What is Depression?
Depression is a type of mood disorder that makes you feel emotionally sad, overwhelmed, and also impacts your coping mechanisms, like how you feel, think, and act.
Can Both ADHD & Depression Co-occur?
Yes, both conditions can co-occur, and it’s not shocking for a person to experience ADHD and depression simultaneously at the same time. Several medical studies indicate the same thing: ADHD has a high comorbidity rate. And here the most frequently asked question arises: does ADHD cause depression?
Yes. Through several studies, it has been found that ADHD can lead tothe development of other mental health conditions. These include anxiety, bipolar disorder, and, most commonly, depression.
Why Do People with ADHD Have a Higher Risk of Developing Depression?
People with ADHD often encounter numerous challenges, especially children in school and adults in relationships and work. These are some of the most influential factors that can lead to the development of depression. Such as:
- Low Self-esteem: Due to conditions like ADHD, people often have low self-esteem. This feeling of low self-image compared to others makes them avoid social activities and also causes isolation, leading to depression.
- Declined Productivity: Being inattentive and lacking focus often result in decreased performance in school and productivity at work. This builds wrong beliefs in individuals that they are not good enough, don’t have much energy to meet job requirements and goals, and ultimately causes depression.
- Relationship Challenges: Maintaining a healthy relationship is extremely difficult for people diagnosed with a short attention span. ADHD makes people inattentive, which is the root cause of why the rate of losing relationships is twice as high among people with a partner affected with ADHD as in the general population. The major problems faced include feelings of worthlessness, lack of communication, and memory gaps.
Before exploring the connection between them in detail, it is important to understand the symptoms that can be noticed when both conditions occur simultaneously.
What are the Symptoms of Depression & ADHD?
The symptoms can vary and overlap, making it difficult to determine whether you have both or either alone. This makes people frustrated, and that frustration often masks itself as ignorance.
For example, a person with ADHD can feel decreased self-esteem due to lost productivity at work, and low motivation is a core symptom of depression. Also, depression can make someone lose focus on tasks, and being inattentive is actually what defines attention deficit disorder.
So, a person can’t be labeled as diagnosed with ADHD and depression based solely on symptoms, unless their condition meets the diagnostic criteria through clinical assessments and tests.
However, here are some symptoms that can infrequently occur in individuals with ADHD. So, if you are experiencing the signs below alongside Hyperkinetic Disorder symptoms, it can be a signal of suffering from both conditions.
- Persistently feeling sad
- Feelings of hopelessness and guilt
- Loss of interest (anhedonia)
- Repeated thoughts of suicide and death
What are the Causes of Comorbidity Between ADHD & Depression?
The connection behind it can be multifaceted. Most of the studies explain the causes of comorbidity of ADHD and depression as a combination of neurotransmitter dysregulation, genetic factors, neurocognitive impairments, neuroimaging, environmental factors, and more.
This means there is no one cause behind it. Some may have such conditions due to a family history (genetics), some because of life distress caused by ADHD, while the rest have abnormalities in the brain, increasing the likelihood of depression when already experiencing hyperkinetic syndrome.
Here are some of the main factors found in every study performed so far on the comorbidity risk between both conditions:
Genetics
A person’s comorbidity between two disorders can be genetic. Several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) show strong evidence of this. They state that both disorders are linked through shared genetics and heritability traits.
Neurobiological Factors
Research also indicates that reduced dopamine transport in the striatum, which is a brain cluster of neurons, also causes comorbid depression. The striatum is part of the brain, responsible for decision-making and reward; a lack of dopamine pathways can result in dysfunction.
Emotional Dysregulation
ADHD affects a person’s ability to process emotions. Impairment in daily activities and several other challenges caused by ADHD burnout often make people frustrated, and emotional dysregulation increases the chances of exposure to depression.
Neuroimaging
Through several neuroimaging studies, it has been found that the risk of developing depression alongside ADHD can also be linked to neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
What are the Treatments for Co-existing ADHD and Depression?
The good thing is that co-existing ADHD and depression is highly treatable. Several treatment approaches can help manage both conditions. But the most effective treatment is a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
However, the treatment must meet safety standards and be delivered once the conditions meet the diagnostic criteria. Due to overlapping symptoms, an accurate diagnosis often becomes difficult, leading to misdiagnosis. Also, medication usage must be in a controlled, safe environment to prevent side effects.
Here are the treatment options available for treating co-existing depression and minimal brain dysfunction:
Psychotherapy
A treatment approach, often referred to as talk therapy, is a great option for ADHD treatment. Psychotherapy helps individuals overcome challenges by learning cognitive skills. It is a treatment method where mental health providers communicate with patients to identify and understand their conditions and deliver required care.
Psychotherapy is a long-term treatment process that consists of several sessions, with the range depending on the person’s condition and coping mechanisms, ensuring lasting wellness. The main goal of psychotherapy is to enable individuals to talk freely, ideally to explore conditions and causes, without any fear of being judged.
As a psychiatric approach, it consists of several therapies useful for treating conditions like ADHD and depression, either individually or simultaneously:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Backed by several scientific studies, CBT is one of the most helpful and successful treatments for a variety of mental health conditions. Based on real, practical strategies, it helps people learn cognitive and behavioral skills ideal for maintaining focus and managing frustration.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is based on real clinical evidence and patient medical data, ensuring great success. It consists of three main factors: identify, understand, and replace. In this treatment, patients learn ADHD-focused skills to improve daily functioning and remain attentive. Also, the psychiatrist offers them emotional support to replace negative thoughts or beliefs with positive attitudes.
In short, CBT reframes individuals’ thinking patterns and strengthens executive functioning, such as time management and task completion, helping restore balance in life.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is also a great option for treating depression and ADHD, as it focuses on two main things: acceptance and change. It helps people accept feelings of depression and encourages individuals to make a meaningful change in their lives. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is similar to CBT, as its main objective is to help people strengthen their minds to improve their lives through mindfulness-based techniques, emotion regulation, and ongoing support. DBT is a therapeutic approach that can be provided individually between a psychiatrist and patient or in group format.
Group Therapy
This approach can also appear highly effective in managing both conditions. Group therapy provides individuals a supportive space where they can communicate, learn things they need to know, share symptoms with their peers, and receive valuable guidance from healthcare professionals. This not only improves their mental wellness and organized functioning, but also reduces self-destructive behaviors and improves communication. Also, being surrounded by those with the same or similar condition removes the fear of judgment and helps them avoid low self-confidence.
Medication Management
No therapy works alone for everyone in treating co-existing conditions. Psychiatrists often pair therapies with adhd medication for adults with anxiety and depression, ensuring short-term relief as well as working on long-term recovery.
Based on the individual’s conditions and needs, the certified mental healthcare practitioners prescribe medication, either stimulants or non-stimulants, to manage symptoms and limit consequences. However, the careful selection of whether the medication is a beneficial option and the attentive prescription are crucial and must be done by a licensed psychiatrist to ensure minimal side effects while treating both disorders simultaneously. Don’t take any medication for ADHD labeled as best unless a psychiatrist recommends it, as it can cause trouble falling asleep and other side effects if carelessness is shown.
It’s recommended to have regular follow-ups for continuous monitoring of medication effectiveness and adverse effects, so the professional can make an informed selection whether to make adjustments or discontinue.
Can ADHD Medication Help with Depression?
Yes, it can help, but two things are worth understanding. ADHD medication can help with depression indirectly by lowering the intensity of ADHD symptoms. But it doesn’t offer direct relief. For example, medication helps boost focus, resulting in less frustration that causes depression. However, it’s suggested that if you are experiencing low mood, consult with a mental health doctor for dedicated medication prescribed to improve mood.
How Can Brainpower Wellness Institute Help with ADHD & Depression?
Brainpower Wellness Institute helps individuals by offering evidence-based, personalized treatment for ADHD and depression. Through outcome-driven therapies and controlled prescription adhd and depression medication under the supervision of certified, experienced psychiatrists, we ensure holistic, comprehensive care.
We help individuals feel organized and improve task persistence through several mental and behavioral ADHD management strategies tailored to their unique coping mechanisms. Our psychiatrists evaluate every patient thoroughly before treatment, using several approaches, including clinical assessments, medical history, and specialized tools (Conners CPT, TOVA, etc) to ensure accuracy at every step. Based on that, every individual receives appropriate treatment. We utilize up-to-date, advanced treatment approaches for treating ADHD and depression while also offering wellness programs to ensure emotional healing.
If you are looking for a trusted mental healthcare professional for ADHD and depression treatment? Choose Brainpower Wellness Institute. Call us now at (714) 712-0711 and book your appointment within 48 hours to benefit from our in-network insurance acceptance. We are now accepting new patients, so make your move today for a happier, brighter future tomorrow.
