1. The Symptoms of ADD
Children and adults who suffer from attention deficit disorder, or ADD, struggle with inattentiveness, hyperactivity, low self esteem, poor personal relationships and poor work or school performance. ADD presents itself in childhood, but can persist into adulthood. Symptoms that may seem fairly obvious in children, such as hyperactivity, may appear less noticeable in adults. For example, a hyperactive child may run around or have trouble sitting in his seat at school for a period of time, but adults who are hyperactive may appear restless, irritable or have difficulty sleeping. Adults can also be susceptible to frequent mood swings, temper outbursts, have difficulty concentrating, be unable to handle stress and have troubled relationships.
2. The Symptoms of Depression
Depression is persistent feelings of hopelessness, dejection, poor concentration, a disturbance of sleep patterns--either sleeping too much or sleeping too little, and sometimes can include suicidal tendencies. Depression can be caused by genetics, severe stress or trauma, a person's low self-esteem or negative outlook or having a medical condition or psychological disorder.
3. Depression in ADD Candidates
Individuals who suffer from ADD are susceptible to depression too. Statistics state that candidates who suffer from ADD are two to three times more likely to have depression than those who do not have ADD. Candidates of ADD have difficulty maintaining personal relationships, exhibit poor work or school habits and likely have frequent mood swings. These symptoms of ADD can affect an individual's life outlook, view of self and ability to accomplish tasks, making it difficult to excel at school or work. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness may be displayed as an ADD individual struggles to keep up with the demands of daily living.
4. Medical Treatment
There are many forms of treatment for ADD: nutritional programs, vitamins and supplements, behavioral therapy, prescriptions or neurotherapy. Common prescriptions are stimulants which can include Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine and Cylert. Stimulant drugs work in the brain to correct a biochemical balance. Once an effective treatment program is implemented, ADD characteristics can be managed, making it easier to complete daily tasks. ADD candidates who suffer from an anxiety or mood disorder such as depression may be prescribed antidepressants for treatment. Wellbutrin, an antidepressant, has some success with treating ADD candidates, although it is not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for this. A combination of drugs is usually the route to treat ADD individuals with depression.
5. A Word of Warning
Parents, caregivers, teachers and physicians need to be sensitive to the fact that children and adults who have ADD can exhibit symptoms of depression, but these indicators should not simply be dismissed as another attribute of the ADD criteria. Depression may exist as a result of ADD or it can exist as a separate diagnosis unassociated with the attention deficit disorder. Treatment for simply ADD will not clear up the depression. Treatment should be a combined effort to alleviate symptoms of both ADD and depression. Consult with your physician for a treatment program that works best for your individual needs.
