ADHD and Depression in Adults
 As with many psychological problems, ADHD is often accompanied by other conditions. A common disorder that is often found with ADHD is depression. Although it is commonly listed as a symptom, depression is a separate condition that must be treated as such, though its presence is often a sign of ADHD.
The reason it has been listed as a symptom for so long is because it was believed that the follow-through issues and personal failures many ADHD sufferers experience caused depression, but health care researchers are beginning to agree that they are separate, but co-existing conditions.
Studies have shown that as many as 1/4 of adult ADHD sufferers also experience depression. If left untreated, this depression may lead to:
- Substance abuse
- Aggressive and/or antisocial tendencies
- Anxiety
All too often, depression in adults is considered to be "normal" to a certain extent due to the oft-stressful lifestyles many people live. When ADHD is added to depression, it can prove to be especially crippling and negatively affect a person's quality of life. Health care providers have found that first treating the depression and then focusing on the ADHD can often provide long-lasting, more effective results for both conditions.
Speak with your health care provider for more ADHD information and to determine which treatment options will work best for you.
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