September 9, 2025- Last week we discussed when ADHD and anxiety coexist together. Today, we discuss when ADHD and depression coexist together. ADHD and depression are two separate conditions that often overlap and coexist together. Persons with ADHD can have the comorbid condition of depression up to 30 or more percent of the time. It is sometimes hard to delineate which is the condition because the characteristics of lack of focus, procrastination and inability to complete activities are common with both conditions. The ADHD characteristics can lead to low self-esteem, problems at work,problems in school and difficulties in relationships that can lead to depression. Differences of depression from ADHD would include sadness, very poor self-esteem, sluggishness, hopelessness, worthlessness, and suicide ideation. It is important to determine if both conditions do exist. In a comprehensive psychological evaluation, it will be determined by an expert if a person has ADHD, depression or some combination of the two. It is important to have appropriate diagnosis because the medications and treatment for both can be quite different. ADHD over an extended period of time can lead to depression because of the constant turmoil in the person’s mind and some combination of the symptoms of lack of focus, inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and procrastination. They can wear a person down emotionally and have them develop depression symptoms of poor self-esteem, sadness, and a feeling that life is a burden and difficult for them to go on. An additional problem that can occur is that the stimulant medications that are often prescribed for ADHD sometimes can cause a person to have difficulties getting enough sleep and this can lead to not just irritability but feelings of hopelessness because of the the inability to feel rested and do what they feel they need to do in their lives because of this. If this occurs, it is critical that appropriate medication be in place. The combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy have been found to be the most helpful to treat persons who have both ADHD and depression.