Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a disorder that affects a person's ability to remain focused, concentrate, remain still, follow instructions and control impulsively. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, or NIMH, ADHD is an extremely common childhood disorder that has the potential to continue to affect a person well into adult life. With ADHD comes the increased risk of developing other mental health disorders, such as depression.
Basics
Whether a person has received treatment for ADHD or remained undiagnosed for many years, the harmful effects of ADHD can result in the onset of depression. According to TeensHealth.org, depression is a mental health condition that often co-exists with ADHD.
Facts
According to NIMH, when treatments for ADHD are implemented, the results of the treatment to reduce ADHD symptoms may help to decrease the effects of some forms of depression. Even if depression goes undetected, but a person receives treatment for ADHD, the impact on the undiagnosed depression could be positive.
Consequences
Children and adults with ADHD should be monitored for depression symptoms. The lifetime experience of frustrations and failures that often occur for people with ADHD can trigger the onset of depression or the worsening of symptoms. A person with ADHD generally receives a lot of redirection and negative feedback from teachers, parents and other students. These negative interactions with others may support and perpetuate the negative thought processes generally characteristic of depression.
Medication
Treatments can focus on reducing the symptoms of both disorders. According to HelpGuide.org, medication is commonly used to reduce and control the symptoms of ADHD; some nonstimulant medications that are used in the treatment plan also have antidepressant qualities. These medications can be used for people who already have depression along with ADHD or for those who have even higher risks of developing depression, such as family history of depression, environmental stressors or experience of trauma.
Risk
When a person is diagnosed with ADHD or depression by itself, her risk for substance abuse problems or suicide increases. Therefore, if a person is diagnosed with the coexisting disorders of depression and ADHD, her risk of suicide or substance abuse problems will be an important thing to monitor.
Coping with one mental health disorder can be hard, but dealing with two can be overwhelming. A person might begin using alcohol or drugs to help herself feel numb and avoid the symptoms of both disorders. Also, this may lead the person to feel hopeless enough that she sees no way out except to end her own life. Possible signs of suicide include talking about death, making jokes about how things would be better if she were gone, giving important things away, saying goodbye and making plans to commit suicide.
