Understanding How Depression Can Cause ADHD-like Symptoms- An Informative Guide

Every time someone mentions ADHD- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and depression, it feels like two different things. ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. At the same time, people suffering from depression easily get irritated, lack energy, and have a loss of interest in activities that were earlier of interest to them. However, many researches show that there is a lot of shared between these two mental health conditions. ADHD can be tricked by other mental health conditions, such as depression, which may lead to symptoms that are indistinguishable from those of ADHD.

In this blog, we have discussed can ADHD cause depression, ADHD causing depression signs, ADHD-induced depression, does ADHD affect depression, the obstacles that exist in diagnosing these mental health conditions, and how to tackle the signs best.

What Is Depression?

Depression is not a disease but a disorder that changes how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. This is not the same as a casual depressed mood; it’s a chronic and often severe state of low energy, hopelessness, and apathy. Major depressive disorder alters the functioning of the brain and impacts areas in the brain that regulate emotions, emotions, motivation, and attention.

Some common signs of depression include:

• Feeling down, sad, or empty most of the time.
• Decreased level of enjoyment for favorite pastimes
• Lack of concentration
• Low energy levels even with a sufficient number of hours of sleep.
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Hopelessness or having feelings of guilt
• Sleeping disorder or excessive sleeping

Read More: What Is High-Functioning Depression?

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the individual’s ability to pay attention, control impulses, and regulate their behavior. ADHD is essential for the diagnosis in childhood, but the problem is that many individuals have it in adulthood. Some of the children with ADHD may be inattentive, disorganized, and unable to sit for an extended period.

The main symptoms of ADHD include:

• Distraction, attention disorders, attention deficit, disorganization
• Inattention (difficulty concentrating, disorganization, forgetfulness, difficulty staying focused on tasks, and staying in one place).
• Lack of impulse control (initiating actions without preceding planning, cutting others short, or making decisions without the hindsight of the ramifications).

How Depression Can Mimic ADHD Symptoms

Notably, there are similarities in the symptoms of depression and ADHD, meaning that the two can be misdiagnosed, or either of them can be diagnosed while the other one is in existence. For example:

• Difficulty Concentrating:

It is a proven fact that both depression and ADHD cause poor concentration. Symptoms such as negative thinking, low energy, or lack of motivation, which may manifest in depression, are not signs of ADHD but make concentration difficult. This lack of ability to concentrate and get motivated might only seem like ADHD, but the cause differs.

• Forgetfulness and Disorganization:

Depression can make it hard to concentrate and remember things. It’s challenging to stay focused when constantly feeling down and tired. This can sometimes look like ADHD.

• Restlessness or Low Energy:

People with depression can sometimes feel restless and irritable. This can look similar to the hyperactivity seen in ADHD, but it’s different. Depression can also cause fatigue, which can lead to procrastination and unfinished tasks, which might seem like ADHD symptoms.

• Irritability and Mood Changes:

Many patients suffering from depression complain of increased sensitivity and irritability, which is sometimes mistaken for impulsivity or mood swings typical of ADHD.

Read More: Psychotherapy For ADHD in Adults

Interactions Between Depression And ADHD

These, combined with ADHD and depression, cause the symptoms to manifest in a worse way than if they have only one of these conditions. This is because emotions, relationships, and tasks are challenging with ADHD, meaning frustration and reduced esteem are linked to depression. On the other hand, depression reduces concentration and motivation, which makes ADHD worse – the two feed each other.

This Interaction Creates A Unique Set Of Issues:

• Low Self-Esteem: From school, work, and general chores, ADHD makes one lag, encouraging a feeling of inefficiency and also contributing to depression.
• Isolation: The social impairment that frequently accompanies ADHD results in feelings of isolation and rejection, which are well correlated with depression in its primary definition.
• Fatigue and Low Energy: Stress results as the fatigue borne out of depression tends to worsen other manifestations of ADHD, such as procrastination and distractibility.

So, while diagnosing ADHD and the absence of depression, the two symptoms overlap a little since one might not necessarily exclude the other.

ADHD can be masked by depression, or the opposite can be experienced where a sufferer of one condition also has the other. This is especially so because the two symptoms often interrelate, which, if diagnosed without recognizing the other, shall result in a partial treatment.

Read More: Will Depression Make You Tired?

Mental Health Professionals Often Look At

• Age of Onset: Specifically, ADHD starts in childhood, while depression is seen at any age. If concentration problems began earlier in childhood, the person might have ADHD.
• Symptom Triggers: If symptoms are becoming worse during stressful or emotional conditions, depression is probably the main problem. Also, the symptoms of ADHD do not move as most people think they should, with mood changes.
• Mental and Physical Energy Levels: Depression, in general, is characterized by low energy levels, while both high and low-energy states characterize ADHD.
• Family and Personal History: It is known that depression and ADHD can be hereditary, so researching a family history might be helpful. A family history of depression, previous episodes of depression, or a preschool history of ADHD-related symptoms also helps in making a diagnosis.

Sometimes, mental health practitioners are forced to conduct a psychological examination to distinguish between ADHD and depression. These tests measure specific cognitive skills and emotional and behavioral patterns, making it easy to identify which disorders are responsible for the symptoms.

How to Survive ADHD-like Symptoms Resulting From Depression

Sometimes, if the person has depressive symptoms that mimic ADHD, then handling the depression can help to reduce the symptoms significantly. Here are some practical ways to address depression-related ADHD-like symptoms:

1. Seek Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT also assists clients in changing negative cognition, which causes depression and reduces attention and time management problems.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Mindfulness is also beneficial in both depression and ADHD because attention is shifted to the present moment, which also results in a decrease in anxiety, bipolar disorder restlessness, and procrastination.

2. Medication

Psychiatric medication management may be helpful for those whose symptoms are worse. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be used to treat depressive symptoms that can cause difficulties in the ability to concentrate or maintain energy. The same medications that help with ADHD might not be helpful if depression is the core problem, but on occasion, focus can be improved with these non-stimulant medications.

Note: Before taking any oral contraceptives, one should consult a doctor, who can tell whether one might get any benefit from a prescription.

3. Build Habits

This may cause poor functioning in daily life, for instance, by affecting a depressed person’s memory, hence becoming forgetful at times. This will go a long way in establishing structure and order in life and, therefore, helpful if depressive symptomatology is precipitating ADHD-like behaviors.

4. Physical Exercise

Exercise stimulates the production of hormones known as endorphins, which cause improved mood, increased energy levels, and reduced stress. Exercise can also improve concentration and, therefore, memory, making it beneficial in reducing symptoms of both depression and ADHD.

5. Healthy Eating and Hydration

It should be understood that nutrition is partially connected with mental health. Many types of fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, flax seeds, and walnuts; these foods have greatly benefited the brain and mood. Proper hydration is also crucial, as lack of water causes fatigue and mental confusion, and that’s even worse.

6. Prioritize Sleep

Fatigue results from sleep loss, usually characteristic of depression, and hinders concentration and focus. Develop a routine for going to bed and arranging the environment for sleep to have enhanced night sleep that will reduce possible symptoms of depression and improve such features as attention and activity.

Read More: Different Types of Moods: Where Do You Fall On The Spectrum?

Conclusion!

ADHD and depression seem very different from each other, but there is a lot of crossover between them, and it can sometimes be difficult to see where one ends and the other begins. Depression might mimic ADHD, mainly focusing on aperiodic energy together with motivation. To try and achieve a more fulfilling and balanced life, it is essential to identify these correlations so that you are correctly diagnosed and treated.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or ADHD, seeing a mental health provider is the first thing to do. So, with the proper treatments and approaches, you can overcome symptoms that may hinder your concentration, mood, and overall health. Just want to remind everyone that ADHD and depression are things that can be managed, and while things might not be easy out there, they can get better. If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with depression and ADHD, then Inland Empire Behavioral Group is the best pick for you to start from.