It may be surprising to know that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression can be present all together in a person. ADHD is mostly diagnosed in children, but adults can also be diagnosed at a later stage. It is a neurobiological condition wherein the person presents with manifestations that will affect their emotional state, actions, and ways of learning. Medical literature states that ADHD is a mental disorder that is characterized by hyperactivity, lack of attention or focus, and problems with the retention of memories. “Some adults with ADHD did not have symptoms in childhood or were not diagnosed. So ADHD in adults may go undetected,” Joel L. Young, M.D. says.
Depression, on the other hand, is defined as a low emotional state that is characterized by a feeling of hopelessness, persistent sadness, and frustration over simple things. Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D. adds, “Depression ranges in seriousness from mild, temporary episodes of sadness to severe, persistent depression. “With this definition, you might ask: how would an adult with ADHD feel depressed at the same time?
A study from the University of Chicago revealed that children who were diagnosed with ADHD are more likely to experience depression when they reach the adolescent and adulthood stages. In the article by Dr. Bill Dodson, Depression: When It’s More Than A Symptom Of ADHD, he explained that persons with ADHD experience reactive depression and are not really a full-blown case of clinical depression. Reactive or secondary depression can happen in ADHD individuals as a result of frustration and difficulty coping with their symptoms and trying to adapt and fit in with the rest of the world.
Case study
Marie, 24 years old, was diagnosed with ADHD when she was only three. Visits to psychologists and psychiatrists are just a normal thing for her since then. Her ongoing sessions have helped her overcome and manage her ADHD symptoms as she continued through school. Eventually, she finished college. Now that she is working, things are rather different and she is having a hard time finding the right reasons for her recent depression.
“I don’t know why I can’t keep my job. This is my third job in a span of six months and I am not finding it relevant either. I feel lost.”
The recent change of work life environment is what overwhelms Marie. Before, she was used to a controlled and compact way of living wherein she was comfortable for a long time. Attending college may have offered some stressful situations but if compared with the “real world” to which she is exposed to now, the varying degrees of stress and demands of living are just too much to handle.
How to handle depression
Adults with ADHD are encouraged to continue treatment for their underlying condition. Depressive states can be addressed through conservative methods at first. “Depression is easier to treat the earlier it is caught,” David Brendel, MD, PhD. However, if things get worse, some medications can be prescribed.
The following are recommended strategies to handle depression:
- Allow yourself a timeout. If things are really very stressful, take a break and go somewhere relaxing. Just being away from the source of the depression can help rejuvenate and be renewed.
- Try to know more about depression and ADHD. Awareness about your condition and what you are going through can ease the burden of handling and managing the symptoms of both mental illnesses.
- Track down your depression, noting what the trigger factors are and what things you are doing can help you regain your usual self. You can also start journaling.
- Allow others into your life. Sometimes, individuals having depression shut themselves off from the rest of the world and sulk. Talk to someone about your feelings. Venting out and just speaking with others can alleviate the depression.
- Pamper yourself. When you are feeling blue, try going to a spa or getting a whole-body massage to relax.
- Don’t neglect eating right and eating on time. Get adequate sleep and enough exercise. Proper nutrition, rest, and enough activity will help regulate the release of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain that can affect your emotional state.
- Don’t forget to consult your doctor if things continue to be depressing and difficult for you.
Find out more about other ways to handle depression by checking BetterHelp. They are an online portal providing counseling services to help people address mental health issues.