ADHD is diagnosed in school children commonly, but this does not mean it is a kid’s disease. There are several adults who develop the disorder after they mature, and others who have struggled with the disorder unknowingly for years but never received a diagnosis. Like several mental health issue, if left untreated, ADHD can make a personal environment that makes anxiety and depression more likely to strike.
There have been several studies that link untreated ADHD with other mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. Hadar Swersky says that ADHD has co-morbidities, which indicates that it tends to exist next to other associated issues. People with ADHD may be wired so that they are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Any mental health disorder type that goes undiagnosed and untreated is likely to get worse, cause worsening symptoms, and perhaps trigger other types of problems, including anxiety and depression.
Hadar Swersky further added that ADHD can lead people to take risks. These risks can result in unintended consequences, including work-related problems, financial problems, and relationship and family problems. People with ADHD are typically more reckless than others. As those with ADHD may act without understanding the consequences of their actions completely, problems can ultimately overwhelm the person – which can result in anxiety and depression. ADHD has been associated with substance abuse, particularly alcohol abuse. Alcoholism enhances a person’s risk of developing anxiety and depression.
Seeking help such as from a caring, skilled, psychiatrist can help you stay focused and make optimistic choices in your life. Positive choices assist reinforce healthy choices, and doors of chances open up. When an individual has more choices, can do more, and is reaching out to others, depression and anxiety are less likely to take hold.
The reverse is also correct. Untreated and undiagnosed ADHD can lead to a downward spiral of lost jobs, failed relationships, self-medicating with damaging substances, and depression. Hence, it is so important to seek out professional assistance, whether you are a troubled parent with a child who is struggling, or whether you are an adult who “powered through” childhood but are now facing unaddressed anxiety or depression – which can be from untreated ADHD or other problems.
ADHD medication and depression
The medication that doctors prescribe for ADHD can have side effects. The drugs can deteriorate the symptoms of depression or they can cause symptoms that look like depression. This can also make a diagnosis of depression with ADHD trickier. This can make it hard to recognize the two conditions and to treat them appropriately. However, ADHD is usually a lifelong disorder, while depression can come and go.
Anyone who thinks that ADHD medication can be leading to symptoms of depression must seek medical advice.
Treatment
A doctor may recommend medication and counseling for ADHD and for ADHD with depression. For children in the age group of 6 years and over with ADHD, researchers suggest behavior therapy and medication. For those in the age group of 5 years and under, behavior therapy is the first line of treatment.
Hadar Swersky says that appropriate diagnosis and treatment can assist people with ADHD to manage their symptoms and decrease the risk of developing depression.