It is common to wonder if ADHD can cause depression, or if the two are separate. Some people are diagnosed with both. Others live with one condition for years before recognising signs of the other.
Living with both ADHD and depression can affect your energy, self-esteem and daily routines. It may also change how symptoms appear and how you respond to treatment [1].
In this guide, we will cover:
- How ADHD and depression are connected
- Whether ADHD can cause depression or anxiety
- How symptoms look when both are present
- Key differences between ADHD and depression
- Treatment and support options
If you are feeling stuck or unsure what you are dealing with, you are not alone. Understanding the link between ADHD and depression is the first step to getting the right help.
Depression and ADHD
ADHD and depression are separate conditions, but they often appear together. Research shows that people with ADHD are more likely to experience depression than those without it. This is because the challenges that come with ADHD can build up over time, especially without the right support.
ADHD affects how the brain manages focus, emotions, and organisation. Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you feel about yourself and the world around you. When both happen together, it can make diagnosis and treatment more complicated [1].
For example, someone with ADHD may struggle with executive dysfunction and low motivation. If they also feel hopeless or emotionally flat, they might be dealing with depression too [2].
This is why getting support that looks at the full picture is so important. A professional can help you understand which symptoms belong to which condition and how to manage both.
To learn more about how ADHD shows up day to day, visit our guide to ADHD.
Can ADHD cause depression?
ADHD does not directly cause depression, but it can raise the risk of developing it. Living with ADHD can lead to repeated struggles at work, school or in relationships. Over time, these challenges may wear down confidence, increase stress, and lead to feelings of sadness, frustration or hopelessness.
Several ADHD-related difficulties can contribute to ADHD-related depression, including:
- Ongoing problems with organisation or focus
- Emotional dysregulation i.e. feeling emotions more intensely or struggling to manage them
- Low self-esteem due to past criticism or failure
- Burnout from masking symptoms or trying to keep up
- Social rejection or isolation
The pattern is often indirect. It is not the ADHD itself, but the impact of unmanaged symptoms and life stress that can lead to low mood.
People with ADHD may also experience depression differently. For example, instead of feeling constantly sad, they might feel restless, flat, irritable or disconnected from things they usually enjoy.
If this sounds familiar, it is worth learning about how ADHD medication and support strategies can help manage both conditions together.
Can untreated ADHD cause depression and anxiety?
Untreated ADHD can increase the risk of developing both depression and anxiety. This does not mean everyone with ADHD will develop these conditions. But without support, the ongoing stress of managing daily life can take a toll on mental health.
People with untreated ADHD may face:
- Frequent overwhelm
- Ongoing forgetfulness or missed deadlines
- Conflict in relationships
- Difficulty meeting expectations at work or school
- Negative self-talk or feelings of failure
Over time, these stressors can lead to low mood, withdrawal or constant worry. It becomes harder to tell what symptoms belong to which condition, especially when depression and anxiety develop as a response to ongoing struggles with ADHD.
That is why early support matters. Diagnosis is not just about labels. It opens the door to personalised strategies, emotional relief and clearer treatment planning.
To explore the link between ADHD and anxiety further, visit our guide to ADHD and anxiety. If you are wondering whether symptoms are being missed, read more about getting an ADHD diagnosis.
ADHD vs depression: Differences in symptoms
ADHD and depression share some similar signs like low motivation, poor focus or sleep issues [1]. But they come from different causes and are treated in different ways. Understanding these differences can help you figure out what is really going on.
Here’s how some of the most common symptoms compare:
ADHD and depression symptoms: Comparison table
|
Symptom/Area |
ADHD |
Depression |
|
Attention/focus |
Distractibility, difficulty sustaining attention (often fluctuates) |
Trouble concentrating, mental fog, often more constant |
|
Mood |
Emotional reactivity, frustration, impatience |
Ongoing low mood, sadness, hopelessness |
|
Motivation/initiation |
Hard to start tasks due to executive dysfunction |
Low motivation from lack of interest or energy |
|
Activity level |
Restless, fidgety, may feel “on the go” |
Often physically slowed down or fatigued |
|
Sleep patterns |
Racing thoughts, inconsistent sleep routines |
Trouble sleeping or oversleeping, tied to mood |
|
Self-esteem |
Impacted by struggles with organisation, underperformance or criticism |
Impacted by guilt, worthlessness or negative self-image |
If you relate to both columns, you are not alone. Many people live with both ADHD and depression at the same time [2].
ADHD and depression: Overlapping symptoms
ADHD and depression can look very similar on the surface, especially when both are present. This overlap can make it hard to get the right diagnosis and treatment. A professional mental health assessment is the best way to understand what is going on.
Here are some symptoms that may appear in both conditions:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Forgetfulness
- Low motivation
- Poor task completion
- Sleep disturbances
- Emotional dysregulation
These shared signs do not always mean you have both conditions. But if symptoms are getting in the way of daily life, it is worth speaking to a professional.
For support that helps look at the full picture, including ADHD and mood symptoms, book a mental health assessment with a trained clinician.
Living with ADHD and depression together
Living with both ADHD and depression can be complex. Each condition affects the other in ways that are not always obvious. You might feel stuck in a cycle where ADHD symptoms cause setbacks, and depression makes it harder to recover from them.
Here is what this combination can look or feel like:
- Feeling overwhelmed but unable to act
- Starting tasks but never finishing them
- Forgetting things, then feeling guilty or ashamed
- Struggling with sleep, mood and energy levels
- Losing interest in hobbies or social plans
- Masking symptoms in public, then crashing in private
These experiences are more than just being “lazy” or “unmotivated.” They reflect the interaction of two conditions that need tailored support.
The impact can be seen in relationships too. If you are often forgetful, distracted or low in mood, it may cause tension or misunderstandings with the people around you. To explore this more, visit our guide to ADHD and relationships.
ADHD and mental health
ADHD does not just affect focus and activity levels. It also plays a major role in mental health. People with ADHD are more likely to experience mood disorders, anxiety, low self-esteem, and emotional dysregulation throughout their lives.
The reasons for this include:
- Ongoing stress from daily challenges
- Negative feedback in school, work or relationships
- Struggles with motivation, sleep and coping skills
- Feeling misunderstood or unsupported
This is why treating ADHD is not just about managing symptoms, it’s about supporting the whole person. A personalised approach that looks at mental health, lifestyle and environment gives the best chance of feeling better long term.
To explore how this works, visit our guide to managing ADHD.
Treatment options for ADHD and depression
When ADHD and depression co-occur, treatment needs to be carefully managed. Support should always be guided by a qualified healthcare professional who understands both conditions.
Treatment plans may include a mix of:
- Medication
- Therapy or coaching
- Lifestyle changes
- Regular check-ins and reviews
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another. The most important thing is that treatment is personalised and flexible.
Depression and ADHD medication
Medication may be helpful for managing either ADHD, depression, or both, but it needs professional oversight. Some people are prescribed antidepressants. Others use stimulant or non-stimulant medications for ADHD. In some cases, both are used under medical guidance [4].
It can take time to find the right mix. Side effects and how each medication interacts with the other should always be monitored closely.
To learn more about how ADHD medication works, visit our guide to ADHD medication.
Therapy and support options
Therapy can help with both emotional symptoms and day-to-day challenges. Some people find benefit in:
- CBT therapy for low mood, anxiety and negative thought patterns
- ADHD coaching for organisation, time management and routines
- Supportive counselling to explore self-esteem, burnout and stress
Multidisciplinary support is often best, combining emotional care with practical strategies.
Explore more about therapy and coaching options through ADHD treatment.
Lifestyle and self-management strategies
While not a replacement for medical care, healthy routines can support mental wellbeing and improve how you manage symptoms day to day. This might include:
- Getting regular exercise
- Prioritising sleep and keeping a stable sleep schedule
- Reducing stress with rest breaks, planning tools or relaxation techniques
- Making simple changes to diet and energy balance [5]
To learn more, explore our advice on diet for ADHD and ADHD and sleep.
Finding support for ADHD and depression
ADHD and depression are both treatable and you do not have to manage them alone. These conditions often appear together, and the right support can make a real difference to how you feel, function and move forward.
If you are struggling with low mood, focus problems or motivation, it may be time to speak to someone. A proper diagnosis can help untangle your symptoms and lead to a plan that works for you.
Contact HealthHero for a personalised ADHD and mental health assessment. Our experienced team can help you understand what’s going on, explore treatment options and guide you towards the support you need.
