Do you think ADD can trigger Depression, or vice versa?

Question

Well, im more curious than anything. but can you have ADD or depression and it trigger SOMETHING. Can depression come along side with ADD/ADHD? im curious cause i just now thought about it. considering neither one runs in my family. i think i have ADD but im not sure, considering that i have no attention span almost, daydream most of my day, and i am so easily distracted, but i think there is something missing, when i get depressed im more distracted and i daydream more, like right now im pretty concerned if one mental issue can come with another, can this happen? or do i think too much?

Answer 1

Firstly, stop worrying and don't label yourself - it could be a number of things and depression can cause a low/no attention span. I would see a doctor anyway.

Depression can have MANY surprising symptoms, so it could "just" be depression and nothing else.

Answer 2

Absolutely ADD can coexist with depression, as a matter of fact, it's rather common. People with ADD who are undiagnosed are usually told that "they can do ______ if they would just work harder/try harder/focus better" This implies that the person is lazy or unmotivated, rather than dealing with ADD, hence...depression. It's not pretty either. The ADD can cause depression, which then makes focus and distractability issues even worse, which then makes the ADD worse, which gets the person even more depressed, and it quickly becomes a vicious cycle. There are even studies that show this, I'm not making this up.

There are several good websites for you to check out...

www.add.org
www.addresources.org
www.chadd.org

And a few books

"Driven to Distraction" and "Delivered from Distraction" by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey. 2 excellent books

"All Kinds of Minds" by Mel Levine....will make you see the positive aspects in an ADD mind.

If you do think you may have ADD, you need to be evaluated by a doctor who has experience with treating and diagnosing ADD (which is technically now ADHD). The above websites will have info on physicians who diagnose and treat ADHD. Some will be pediatricians, some will be child psychiatrists, others will be psychologists--just remember a psychologist cannot prescribe meds. Meds are usually helpful in dealing with the negative symptoms of ADHD as well. Just keep remembering the positive aspects of your ADHD mind...you're probably very creative, and you can probably think up solutions rather easily.

Good luck!

Another note on meds: I'm on meds, as are my children. Side effects are not horrible, for me they are quite manageable, and preferable to the living hell I dealt with. I did have to try a couple of different medications, and finally found a combination of Strattera (which is a non stimulant) and Celexa that work great for me. If your doctor knows what he/she is doing, and treats MANY people with ADHD, you should be fine. You may have to try several different meds before finding what works for you, but that's because we're each a unique individual. Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

I have had ADD/ADHD, not anymore, but I dont think it can CAUSE depression. It can affect your mentality in a way which can make you dwell on certain issues and can cause certain issues in your life which those issues would be the cause of your depression but the ADD/ADHD wouldnt directly cause it.

I also agree with the person below, Deb, ADD/ADHD is one of the most misdiagnosed things, because they get to make money on you on all the meds they would put you on and also because the parents just want an explanation so they give them something and use ADD/ADHD as a scapegoat.

Answer 4

It can happen. Medications for ADHD cause depression, is a side effect.

Just because your parents do not have it that you know of does not mean your aunts, uncles, grandparents did not have it. I would think of any relative who is blood, who is a alcoholic, drug addict, or has a history of different jobs, or "flighty". These are all signs of ADD/ADHD.

ADD/ADHD can be hard to diagnose these days. At one time they were diagnosing people right and left. I have ADHD, two of my sons have ADHD. One son has a form of autism which we were told one sub symptom is ADHD. I will not allow him on the meds. Other boy is old enough to make his own decisions and he has a lot of side effects and is very sick I think....he is currently in jail so they have him on several different pills which I do not agree on and I as a parent have no say. I tried.

Go to the doctor get checked out. We got diagnosed by a specialist. Our doctor after reading his report gave me the meds right away. After a year on them I got off of them. Side effects are horrible! Hopefully for you, you do not have this....Also ADD/ADHD is not curable is what our specialist told us.

Answer 5

I'm sure that ADD can trigger depression. But what you're feeling is probably more a symptom of depression. People who are depressed can be easily distracted and withdrawn or seem to be daydreaming or preoccupied with thoughts.

Answer 6

I don't know many men and women on disability for anxiousness and depression, however, there are various men and women who have bi polar disorder (which involves durations of melancholy and anxiety) and i do know that they qualify for incapacity. Nevertheless, nervousness is an awfully manageable disease. I've severe wellbeing nervousness, which escalated to the factor of me no longer looking to leave the condo. "simply get over it" will not be exactly worthy, however that's what I had to do. I had to go to college, grocery shopping, work, and many others. I refused to let giving up even be an option. The one advice i will give you is that should you file and you might be denied (almost everyone is denied the primary time) then proceed appealing it, and it is usually necessary to get a disability legal professional.

Answer 7

If you have one symptom then usually there's some thing to complement the disorder. One symptom is usually more prominent . I'll agree with True Blue Nd J4rose, it sounded like depression more than any thing to me. Depression can be so low that you only think about suicide or it can make you feel light headed. If you go to a doctor to talk about this, he puts you on meds and they don't work ask about trans cranial magnetic therapy. Only a psychiatrist can refer you for this type of treatment.

Answer 8

If you have hyperactivity along with the attention deficit, then yes... eventually the body wears down and has no choice but to go into depression. Bi-polar disorder is also a possiblity. If you swing from a phase of hyperactivity to a depressed state and back, this might be your trouble.

Answer 9

Honey, these are 98% fake labels created by the big pharamceutical companies because once you have a label they get to sell you (or your insurance) the solution! Don't buy into it, friend. Make lifestyle changes instead. Make a schedule, include lots of fun, sports, study, dancing, make new friends. BETTER YET, HAVE YOU TRIED CHARITY WORK? Studies ahve shown that young people who go out and bust their butts for somebody else have a nearly ZERO percent rate of things like "depression."

Answer 10

Practicing some breathing exercises help a lot for depression, worry, stress, fears, insecurities, anger, anxieties, loneliness, & for all unwanted emotional states, etc.
Mindfulness of Breathing exercises:
1) Be in a comfortable position, whether sitting
or lying down.
2) Have someone watch your other children for
about 10 or 15 min. [Increase in time, after practicing for a month].
Then close your eyes, and concentrate
totally on your breathing.
3) At the end of your first inhalation of oxygen,
count one. Keep doing this until you get to
ten. Remain patient with yourself.
4) Then focus your attention on breathing only
through your nostrils, which filter out all
the things, which are not healthy to breath
into your lungs. Be aware of the various
sensations through your nostrils, while you
continue the counting. When you get to
ten, start again at one.
5) When a distracting thoughts enters your mind
allow them to pass through {your mind], w/out
analyzing them, or judging them, or trying to fix them.
And then gently, patiently bring your full
attention back to your breath. Every time,
a distracting thought {any thought which
would take your attention of your breath),
comes to your mind, you need to use this
skillful, disciplinary method of bring it back.
Thoughts do come into our minds, especially
worrisome , or pressing thoughts
which dictate to us that we have an anxious mind.
Just be patient w/yourself, and keep practicing.
**"There is already proven evidence of the
Success of The Mindfulness of Breathing
exercises Proven by Dr. Jon Kabat-ZinnPhD
and by many other Dr.s and Scientists as
well. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. has a book
out called, "Coming to Our Senses' which
teaches this. *There is also a book called, " The
Beginner's Guide to Insight Meditation"
by: Arinna Weisman & Jean Smith is most
Excellent also.*” Insight meditation is a higher
form of The Mindfulness of Breathing exercises, which
greatly help us to accurately, & clearly see things as they really are!! It's really helpful.
For some it may be necessary to take a anti-depressant, or to pray to a god for strength, or confidence, or comfort. If this helps you deal with stress, anxiety, depression, etc. Then practice this also. Use whatever methods which help you or combine them, to receive Most help.
I practice mindfulness of breathing to reduce stress, providing insight into life. It is Great !
P.S. - the mindfulness of breathing helps with anger a lot too. Reading the book: "Working with Anger.” by: Thubten Chodron will help if you experience occasional anger/are under the influenceof anger or hatred often. I use to get impatient, intolerant, and angry toward those who criticize, harshly judge, or condemn other people for having different beliefs. I found that
Working with anger – helped a great deal. Be very Patient with Yourself, and continue the practice of the Mindfulness of Breathing daily. Even if your at first, only able to commit to 10 min. a day. "This meditative practice, the mindfulness of breathing exercises are what Medical Doctors, Psychiatrists, most Psychologists and especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapists teach their patients to help them intelligently to control symptoms of depression, anxieties, insecurities, bipolar, adhd, worries, loneliness, And for many people who are pessimistic in life, as well as many other unwanted mental and emotional states. Check out the books I have suggested to you. I have full confidence in you as you practice The Mindfulness of Breathing daily.