The Link Between ADHD and Other Mental Health Conditions

While Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms first present in childhood, it is a chronic condition that persists into adulthood. For adults, symptoms of ADHD may lead to unstable relationships, low self-esteem, and can make it difficult to perform well at school or work.

Research suggests that individuals with ADHD are more likely to experience other mental health conditions as well. Although many conditions may co-occur with ADHD, some are more commonly seen than others. 

In this article, we will explore the link between ADHD and other mental health conditions to understand why they often co-occur.

Also read: ADHD is my superpower…or is it?

What is Adult ADHD?

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological condition that is characterised by difficulty in sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviour. Typically, symptoms manifest in childhood and continue into adulthood. But, for many, this condition is often diagnosed when the individual is an adult.

Symptoms of ADHD may reduce as the person grows older, but this is not the case for everyone. For some, the symptoms continue to interfere with their daily functioning throughout their lives. In some cases, the symptoms may not emerge or interfere with daily life during childhood and may only get worse during adulthood - this is known as adult-onset/late-onset ADHD. 

Individuals with ADHD may find it difficult to prioritise their tasks and manage their time, often leading to missed deadlines at work, forgotten meetings, and missed social events. Their inability to control their impulses may manifest as mood swings or sudden outbursts of anger.

Since ADHD is often misrepresented as a childhood mental health condition, many adults may not know that they may be living with ADHD. For them, their inability to manage their workloads and difficulty with tasks become a normal part of their lives.

Also read: 4 Ways to Handle Stress with Adult ADHD

ADHD and other mental health disorders: what is the connection?

Understanding one’s diagnosis is crucial for getting the right support and care for their condition.

However, ADHD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, which can have overlapping symptoms and make it more challenging to arrive at the right diagnosis. A delay in or inaccurate diagnosis can make it difficult for individuals to get the right support at the right time.

Anxiety

Approximately 1 out of every 2 adults with ADHD also experience symptoms of anxiety disorders. In some cases, anxiety may occur independently of ADHD, but in other cases, anxiety may be a result of living with ADHD.

Individuals with ADHD often miss their deadlines, important meetings, or social events, which leads to stress and worry. They may also continually fear missing deadlines or important, which adds to their stress and anxiety.

When these feelings persist, they may lead to the diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.

Depression

Co-occurring depression with ADHD is often hard to diagnose, as they share several symptoms. Both depression and ADHD can lead to difficulty in focusing, and when individuals take medication for their ADHD, it can lead to sleep and appetite changes as well.

Living with ADHD can lead to symptoms of depression when individuals find it challenging to manage their symptoms effectively. ADHD can make it challenging for individuals to connect to their peers and maintain relationships, or they may struggle to perform well at work. Often, being able to manage these aspects of their lives can lead to feelings of hopelessness, a bleak outlook on the future, and other signs of depression.

Bipolar Disorder

In India, approximately 8% of adults with ADHD were also diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Additionally, 9.5% of adults with bipolar disorder would meet the criteria for an ADHD diagnosis in their lifetime. 

Evidently, ADHD and bipolar disorder often occur together and lead to more severe symptoms. However, researchers are still not able to understand why this link exists, but some studies suggest that biological and genetic factors may be at play.

Also read: Understanding How Adult ADHD Can Occur

How are ADHD and co-occurring conditions treated?

When individuals are diagnosed with co-occurring disorders, the condition which causes severe impairments is the one that is typically treated at first. Mental health professionals work with the individual and their loved ones to understand their situation and come up with a treatment plan which fits their needs.

However, some mental health professionals may choose to treat symptoms of ADHD as it can help reduce stress and increase the individual’s attentional resources to deal with the symptoms of other disorders.

While dealing with co-occurring conditions can be challenging, with effective treatment it is possible to manage your condition better. If you feel that an ADHD diagnosis does not fit your symptoms, it may be worthwhile to speak to a mental health professional, who can understand your condition better.

References:

1. Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. (2023, January 25). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-2035087

2. News-Medical.net. (2019, February 26). Is ADHD Linked to Other Mental Health Conditions? https://www.news-medical.net/health/Is-ADHD-Linked-to-Other-Mental-Health-Conditions.aspx

3. Yetman, D. (2021, April 12). ADHD in People with Bipolar Disorder: What We Know. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/adhd-and-bipolar#relationship

4. Pattanshetti, N., Patil, N. M., & Tekkalaki, B. V. (2016). Prevalence of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients with bipolar affective disorder: A 1-year hospital-based cross-sectional study. Indian Journal of Health Sciences, 9(3), 288. https://doi.org/10.4103/2349-5006.196325

5. Smith, M. (2017, August 25). The Link Between Depression and ADHD. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/depression-adhd-link#:~:text=Also%2C%20ADHD%20can%20lead%20to,and%20other%20signs%20of%20depression.

6. Leonard, J. (2017, May 15). What is the link between anxiety and ADHD? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315303#:~:text=Sometimes%2C%20anxiety%20can%20occur%20independently,tasks%20may%20cause%20them%20anxiety.