ADHD and depression
By Peg Rosen
Expert reviewed by Elizabeth Harstad, MD, MPH
Quick tips to manage ADHD and depression
- Quick tip 1Share what you’re seeing.
Share what you’re seeing.It’s important for parents and teachers to share information with each other. Set up a time to talk about what you’ve noticed and what might help.
ADHD doesn’t cause depression, but the two conditions often occur together. Kids with are much more likely to be depressed than kids who don’t have ADHD. That’s especially true as they hit the teen years.
Why do these conditions often co-occur? One reason is that ADHD can create a lot of challenges for kids, and those challenges can lead to depression. School and behavior problems can wear down their self-esteem. Trouble with social skills can make them feel isolated.
Some people with ADHD may also be “pre-wired” for depression. ADHD involves differences in brain chemistry. And some of these differences may make people more likely to feel depressed.
ADHD also often co-occurs with anxiety and substance abuse. Both of these can increase the risk of depression. Researchers are looking into other things that may make kids and teens with ADHD more likely to be depressed. These include gender, family history, and age of ADHD diagnosis.
It’s important to take signs of depression or talk of hopelessness seriously. Young people who have both ADHD and depression also have a higher risk of suicide than young people who only have one of these conditions.
Dive deeper
Signs of depression in kids with ADHD
Therapy for ADHD and depression
Medication for ADHD and depression
Overlapping symptoms and misdiagnosis
About the author
About the author
Peg Rosen writes for digital and print, including ParentCenter, WebMD, Parents, Good Housekeeping, and Martha Stewart.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Elizabeth Harstad, MD, MPH is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital.
