Individuals with ADHD may be at a higher risk of depression. However, it is possible to manage both conditions through a combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
If you suspect you have ADHD, depression, or both, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help diagnose your symptoms. They can also help you develop a treatment plan that works for you.
If you are in an emergency
If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:
- Call 911 or your local emergency number.
- Stay with the person until help arrives.
- Remove any weapons and substances from your surroundings that could cause harm.
- Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.
If you think someone is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.
ADHD is an umbrella term for a wide range of symptoms. There are
- Predominantly inattentive type: This can present as having difficulty with organizing and finishing tasks, paying attention to details, and being easily distracted or forgetful.
- Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: This can manifest as fidgeting, talking a lot, and having difficulty staying still. An individual with this type may experience more accidents and injuries than someone without it.
- Combination type: If you experience symptoms from the two types described above, you may have combination type ADHD.
Depression can also cause a variety of symptoms. Common symptoms
- persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, emptiness
- frequent feelings of anxiety, irritability, restlessness, or frustration
- loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- trouble paying attention
- changes in your appetite
- trouble sleeping
- fatigue
Some of the symptoms of depression overlap with the symptoms of ADHD. This can make it hard to tell the two conditions apart. For example, restlessness and boredom can be symptomatic of both ADHD and depression.
If you suspect you might be depressed, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms.
Individuals with ADHD may be at a greater risk of suicidal ideation than those without ADHD.
Those with ADHD may also be at a greater risk of comorbidities that can influence suicidal ideation and planning, such as alcohol or nicotine use disorder.
A small 2024 study found that the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation in individuals with ADHD is around 60%, with the prevalence of severe suicidal ideation at around 16%.
The study also found that severe suicidal ideation was associated with:
- severity of inattentive symptoms during childhood
- attentional impulsiveness
- number of hospitalizations
If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, it is important to reach out to your mental health provider — or your primary care provider if you do not have one — as soon as possible.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing symptoms of both ADHD and depression. If you suspect you have one condition or both, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help you develop a treatment plan that works for you.
Your doctor might prescribe a combination of treatments, such as medications, behavioral therapy, and talk therapy.
Behavioral therapy can help you develop coping strategies to manage your symptoms. It may help improve your focus and build your self-esteem. Talk therapy can also provide relief for symptoms of depression and the stress of managing a chronic health condition.
It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle. Try to get
Making lifestyle changes
Getting an optimal amount of sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can seem daunting. However, it is possible to make these changes slowly over time.
You can start in small ways, such as going to bed an hour earlier, taking a 10-minute walk outside, or adding a vegetable to your meals.
It is important to take small steps instead of making drastic changes all at once. This will increase the likelihood of following through with your changes and make the process more enjoyable.
If you have ADHD, your chances of developing depression increase. If you suspect you’re experiencing depression, make an appointment with your doctor. They can help you identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend treatment.
Living with ADHD and depression can be challenging, but you can take steps to manage both conditions. Your doctor may prescribe medications and recommend counseling or other therapies.