Can ADHD Cause Depression? Understanding the Link Between ADHD and Depression

ADHD vs Depression

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder long thought to be a childhood disorder. Recently studies have found overwhelming evidence for adult ADHD—the continuation of ADHD through adulthood—but it is still a disorder that begins in childhood. When diagnosed, people with ADHD are given one of three diagnoses: hyperactive ADHD, inattentive ADHD, or combined type.

The symptoms of ADHD include:

1. Inattention: Struggling to focus on tasks, follow through on instructions, organize tasks, or maintain attention to details, leading to frequent mistakes or forgetfulness.
2. Hyperactivity: Constant restlessness, difficulty sitting still, feeling as if you're always "on the go," or frequently interrupting others.
3. Impulsivity: Acting without thinking, blurting out responses, interrupting conversations, or having difficulty waiting your turn, which can lead to hasty decisions or risky behaviors.
4. Difficulty with Time Management: Trouble estimating time, being consistently late, chronic procrastination, or struggling to meet deadlines due to challenges in managing time effectively.
5. Forgetfulness: Forgetting daily tasks or obligations, misplacing items often, or being easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli.
6. Poor Organization Skills: Difficulty keeping things tidy, misplacing important documents or items, or struggling to maintain a consistent schedule.
7. Mood Swings: Fluctuating emotions, from frustration and impatience to quick bursts of anger or emotional sensitivity, impacting relationships and daily interactions.
8. Struggles with Follow-Through: Initiating tasks with enthusiasm but finding it challenging to carry them out to completion, leading to unfinished projects or goals.
9. Difficulty with Self-Regulation: Finding it hard to manage emotions, impulses, or reactions in various situations, often resulting in impulsive or reactive behaviors.
10. Challenges with Concentration: Difficulty concentrating on tasks that require sustained mental effort, leading to inconsistency in performance or productivity.

Major Depressive Disorder (commonly called “depression”), on the other hand, can occur at any point during childhood or adulthood. It can also come and go, and the symptoms do not need to be persistent throughout life as with ADHD. Being a mood disorder, depression primarily affects emotions and thought patterns, which can have negative effects on behavioral and relational health as well. Symptoms of Depression include:

1. Persistent Sadness: Feeling deeply unhappy or empty most of the day, nearly every day, even when there's no apparent reason.
2. Loss of Interest or Pleasure: Losing interest in activities or hobbies once enjoyed, and finding it difficult to experience joy.
3. Changes in Appetite or Weight: Significant weight loss or gain, or changes in appetite, and eating habits.
4. Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, excessive sleeping, or disruptions in the sleep pattern, often accompanied by feelings of fatigue or feeling tired for seemingly no reason.
5. Fatigue and Low Energy: Persistent feelings of tiredness, exhaustion, or an unexplained decrease in energy levels.
6. Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-criticism, even when not justified.
7. Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus, make decisions, or experiencing challenges with memory.
8. Physical Aches and Pains: Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, or body aches without a clear cause.
9. Restlessness or Sluggishness: Feeling agitated, restless, or slowed down, noticeable by others.
10. Thoughts of Death or Suicidal Ideation: Persistent thoughts of death, dying, or suicide, along with suicide attempts or plans.

These symptoms of depression can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being. If you or someone you care about is experiencing these symptoms, it's crucial to seek support and guidance from a qualified mental health professional. Remember, you are not alone, and there is always hope for improvement and recovery. Whether through therapy, medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of approaches, support is available to help you live your brightest life. If you'd like to explore therapy options with Lifebulb's passionate and experienced therapists, we're here to support you every step of the way.

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What is the Link between ADHD and Depression?

Research has found a profound link between ADHD and Depression. They are commonly comorbid, meaning they occur together. Why? There are a few reasons researchers believe the link between ADHD and Depression is so strong:

1. Dopamine Abnormalities: Both depression and ADHD share a common etiology (causation). Dopamine is commonly referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter and helps people feel happy, satisfied, and content. Whereas depression often has a lack of dopamine, ADHD has dysregulated dopamine. Because both disorders deal with dopamine, they are more likely to occur together. 
2. Negative social experiences: ADHD can result in different ways of learning and socializing, which can be very isolating to young children. Feeling isolated from one’s peers is a common risk factor for depression. The effects ADHD has on social life can contribute to depression. 
3. Common symptoms: Both Depression and ADHD have common symptoms, including brain fog, fatigue, difficulty socializing, and difficulty taking care of oneself. Although these shared symptoms don’t directly cause one another, they can exacerbate each other, which may lead to a worsening of both depression and ADHD symptoms. 

These are three common ways ADHD and Depression can influence each other, but the list is by no means exhaustive. ADHD and depression are complex mental health disorders that have various influences and causes. 

Can ADHD Cause Depression?

No, ADHD does not directly cause Depression, but it can contribute to it. ADHD is not listed as a risk factor for depression, but some of the symptoms and results of living with ADHD are. Risk factors for depression that ADHD can cause or exacerbate include:

• Low social support
• Low self-esteem and self-worth
• Guilt for not living up to social expectations 
• Difficulty with exercising, heating, and sleeping healthily 
• Substance Abuse

ADHD and Depression can be linked in more ways than one. 

Can I Have Both ADHD and Depression?

Yes, absolutely. Many people do. When you have both ADHD and Depression, it is called “comorbidity”. It can be tricky to untangle one disorder from another, especially since they share many symptoms. This can also make treating combined ADHD and Depression difficult, as your therapist will need to address both symptoms or find the shared root cause of them both. However, it is possible. Many people with ADHD and Depression find it helpful to pursue both medication and talk therapy. 

It is also common to have ADHD and anxiety or depression and anxiety. In some people, ADHD, anxiety, and depression are present at once. This is a complex case of comorbid disorders, and it is recommended to seek professional help. 

Treatments for ADHD and Depression

There are three main treatment modalities for both ADHD and Depression: medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes. Let’s look briefly at what a combined treatment plan for ADHD and Depression would look like. 

Medication for ADHD and Depression

Stimulants are typically used to treat ADHD and antidepressants for Depression. As psychiatry (mental health medication and medication management) gets more advanced, medication that can treat both has become available. Wellbutrin is one example of a medication that has been shown to help both depression and ADHD. 

Finding the right medication for you can take time, and it is very important to be supervised by a medical professional when taking medication for the first time. Everybody responds differently to different medications, and what’s right for one person may not be right for you. If you want to try taking medication for your comorbid Depression and ADHD, talk to your therapist about being referred to a psychiatrist. 

Therapy for ADHD and Depression

Talk therapy for ADHD and Depression is becoming very common, and most therapists will understand the intricacies of their connection. 

Some types of psychotherapies for ADHD and Depression include:

1. Psychotherapy: Engaging in psychotherapy or talk therapy can help individuals with comorbid ADHD and depression address emotional struggles, enhance coping mechanisms, and develop strategies for managing symptoms.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of talk therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors called cognitive distortions and replacing them with positive, true thoughts. 
3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices to help individuals regulate emotions, improve interpersonal skills, and manage impulsive behaviors commonly associated with ADHD and depression.
4. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT is a talk therapy that concentrates on improving interpersonal relationships and communication skills, which can be beneficial for individuals struggling with both ADHD and depression.

Using a combination of these talk therapies, individuals with combined ADHD and depression can work towards better understanding and managing their symptoms, improving their emotional well-being, and enhancing their overall quality of life.

Lifestyle Changes for ADHD and Depression

Lifestyle changes refer to behavioral changes that can help alleviate or lessen the severity of symptoms. Alone, they are not enough to treat comorbid ADHD and depression but they are often a vital part of the treatment plan. 

Lifestyle changes that can help ADHD and Depression include:

• A healthy sleep schedule 
• Plenty of time outside and good exercise
• Eating healthy
• Learning to lean on a support system 
• Developing healthy coping mechanisms and hobbies

Addressing comorbid ADHD and Depression can be difficult, and it may take time to find the right combination of therapies that work for you. Start sooner rather than later, and reach out to a Lightbulb therapist today. 

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