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What is the difference between ADHD & depression?
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Apr 8, 2024 · Both disorders bring mood problems, forgetfulness, and inability to focus, but there are slight differences. Emotions: ADHD moods are transient, precipitated by a setback. Depressive moods are pervasive & chronic. Motivation: Individuals with ADHD are overwhelmed by deciding what to do first.
- 1. Depression is nearly three times more common in people with ADHD, than it is in the general population. Luckily, there are many treatments for A...
- 2. Primary Depression : Typically inherited, and occurs without being preceded by an unpleasant circumstance or event. Secondary Depression : Occ...
- 3. Depression is marked by feelings of sadness for much of the day, nearly every day. Other symptoms include: Loss of interest in activities Ch...
- 4. Children ages 6 to12 can have depression, and the signs are similar to those seen in depressed adults. The AAP estimates that nearly half of all...
- 5. If you experience three or more of the following in two weeks, you could have manic depression : Inflated ego Increased energy and decreased...
- 6. Both disorders bring mood problems, forgetfulness, and inability to focus, but there are slight differences. Emotions : ADHD moods are transien...
- 7. If you're diagnosed with ADHD and depression, treat the condition that causes the greater problems first, not both at the same time. Most antide...
- 8. The goal is to reduce frequency and intensity of symptoms that get in the way of living a happy life. Work with your doctor to find appropriate...
- 9. Create a monthly chart with categories for sleep, exercise, sunshine, green time, nutrition, and stress in the left-hand margin. Mark a check f...
- Overview
- What Is ADHD?
- What Is Depression?
- Overlap of Depression and ADHD
- Is It ADHD or Depression?
- Risk Factors for Comorbid ADHD and Depression
- Treatment for Overlapping ADHD and Depression
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Depression and ADHD are not the same thing. However, there is often overlap between the two. They can also occur at the same time.
If you've been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression, you might wonder what this means for you in terms of prognosis, treatment, and lifestyle changes you can make to improve your situation.
At a Glance
Depression and ADHD are distinct, but they are sometimes connected. People who have ADHD are more likely to experience depression. People with ADHD sometimes experience low mood, poor self-esteem, and other problems with self-image because their traits make it more challenging to manage the expectations of a neurotypical society.
If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to talk to a doctor or mental health professional about how you are feeling.
Before we start to disentangle the complex relationship between depression and ADHD, it's important to understand individually what is involved with each diagnosis.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means that it is present from childhood and persists throughout your lifetime. It is important to note that it is considered a disability because we live in a neurotypical-oriented society.
People with ADHD may exhibit what is called an executive function deficit: they struggle to follow tasks through to completion and easily become disorganized, missing appointments and losing their things.
ADHD is usually identified in childhood and can be categorized into three different presentations.
Depression is more than just sadness or a case of the blues. Many people experience recurrent episodes that can last anywhere from weeks to months or longer.
Some of the most common symptoms of depression include:
•Feeling sad, hopeless, or empty
•Being irritable, frustrated, or restless
•Loss of interest in things you used to like doing
•Having trouble concentrating
How do depression and ADHD overlap? We know that these are comorbid conditions, which means that when you are diagnosed with one, the odds of you also being diagnosed with the other are higher.
Below are some facts on the overlap of ADHD and depression:
•Teens with ADHD are more likely than their peers without ADHD to develop depression.
•Depression is three times more prevalent in adults with ADHD compared to adults without ADHD.
•There is an estimated 6.5-fold increase in the risk for depression within the first year after an ADHD diagnosis.
Furthermore, in a study that examined data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety, it was found that rates of ADHD were higher among those who had severe depression, chronic depression, early-onset depression, or comorbid anxiety. This suggests a strong relationship between ADHD and depression.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell ADHD and depression apart. This is because there are overlapping symptoms, but also because some ADHD medications can cause side effects that mimic depression such as loss of appetite or sleeping difficulties.
While both ADHD and depression involve issues related to mood, concentration, and motivation, they do differ.
There are certain factors that might increase your risk of having comorbid ADHD and depression? Some of these include:
•Being female: Although ADHD is more common in males, females are more likely to have comorbid ADHD and depression.
•Inattentive type: Those diagnosed as inattentive type are more likely also to have a diagnosis of depression.
•Mother's mental health: When a mother has depression during pregnancy, this is linked to a higher likelihood of giving birth to a child who is later diagnosed with ADHD, depression, or both.
•Early-onset: Being diagnosed with ADHD during childhood is related to an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts later in life.
•Not receiving treatment: People who have untreated ADHD are at higher risk for depression due to secondary issues such as low self esteem.
What types of treatment are offered if you have overlapping ADHD and depression? It really depends on your particular situation.
In general, the approach is to work on the condition that is most impairing first. While therapy can address both issues at once, often medication is prescribed for one condition and then the other.
Dec 12, 2021 · This article provides an overview of both ADHD and depression, the prevalence rates of co-occurrence and overlapping traits. It is estimated up to 50% of adults with ADHD have occurring depression, however because of overlapping symptoms one diagnosis may be missed.
Feb 5, 2024 · Core Symptoms and Diagnosis. ADHD. Characterised by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with focus, organisation, and impulsivity in various aspects of life. Depression. Marked by pervasive feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
Aug 7, 2024 · Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression are commonly comorbid (occurring together in the same person). Although ADHD is not thought to cause depression directly, people with ADHD often have low self-esteem and poor social skills, which are known risk factors for depression.
Oct 14, 2024 · When ADHD and depression co-occur, the resulting impairment is greater than if either disorder were present alone. This article will explore how ADHD and depression interact and understand how the combination of these two conditions can complicate diagnosis, treatment, and management.
Nov 27, 2023 · 3 min read. ADHD vs. Depression. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression can go hand-in-hand. Doctors sometimes call them comorbid or coexisting conditions, meaning...
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