Many children and teens who suffer from ADHD develop depression, reports MayoClinic.com. Adolescents with ADHD often become frustrated with themselves and their inability to control their symptoms, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. These two serious mental health disorders often need professional attention in order to prevent serious issues such as suicidal ideation and substance abuse.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs that a teen suffers from ADHD include difficulty concentrating and staying focused, losing things, forgetting important dates, making careless mistakes, trouble taking turns, blurting out answers in class, interrupting others and excessive talking, according to Teens Health. The results of these symptoms, such as poor grades, low self-esteem, teasing and bullying, can lead to a teen developing depression. Symptoms of depression include overwhelming sadness or irritability, trouble concentrating, issues sleeping and eating, fatigue, isolation, lack of pleasure and suicidal thoughts.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD and depressive disorders includes a combination of medication, therapy, support groups and social skills training. Stimulants such as Ritalin and Concerta are often prescribed for teens with ADHD. However, some teens who take stimulants experience negative side effects, so their doctors might prescribe antidepressants. For an adolescent with both disorders, the doctor might start the teen on an antidepressant and add a stimulant or non-stimulant if the antidepressant alone isn't effective.
Individual and family counseling should be considered for teens who suffer from ADHD and depression. Through individual counseling, the therapist can give the adolescent behavioral techniques to implement, and teach the teen how her thoughts affect her emotions and behaviors. In family counseling, the therapist can help the family improve their communication skills, and assist the parents in parenting a teen with these mental health disorders. Support groups can help a teen realize that he isn't alone in struggling with these disorders, and social skills training can help an adolescent learn socially appropriate behaviors.
Considerations
Adolescents who suffer from ADHD are impulsive and teens who are depressed act recklessly. When these two disorders are combined, reckless behavior can lead to dangerous or deadly situations. MayoClinic.com reports that teens who have ADHD are at a higher risk for abusing substances. Teens who feel depressed might turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate, so it's important that they receive professional help.
Misconceptions
Some parents and teachers don't realize that an adolescent with ADHD does not purposely misbehave. When he misplaces his backpack and makes careless mistakes on his math quiz, he doesn't do it on purpose. It can be frustrating to parent or teach a child who suffers from ADHD and depression, but it's important to stay calm. The depression can worsen if the teen is ridiculed, yelled at or misunderstood.
Warning
If a teen experiences suicidal thoughts, she needs immediate help. Signs that a teen is contemplating suicide include saying goodbye to peers and family members, talking, writing or drawing about death, giving away prized possessions and participating in reckless behavior, reports Helpguide.org. Parents can get their teens help by going to their local psychiatric emergency room or calling the police.
