Health Answers

ADHD, also called Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition that affects the mental functions and organization of the brain. Many researchers have discovered that ADHD affects an individual’s ability to put together thoughts as well as control their impulses. These are related to chemicals in the brain that deal with communication.

These chemicals consist of dopamine, serotonin, and norephinephrine, which are all neurotransmitters. All of these chemicals are related to mood disorders like depression, and even worse, Parkinson’s disease.

One out of four adults that has ADHD also suffers from depression. Some studies have shown that children who have ADD or ADHD have an increased risk of suffering from depression. Usually when a child is diagnosed with depression, it is commonly related to ADHD and this diagnosis is sometimes is missed.

Recent studies have shown that depression is experienced by those who have ADHD, but it is a completely different disease that requires different types of medication. These studies have shown that depression is not always suffered because of the demoralization that people with ADHD have to go through.

One study, which dealt with 76 children and young adults for a total of four years discovered that interpersonal skills was one of the predictive values of developing depression. The study was able to show that students who did poorly in school or had trouble in school were not at a greater risk. The greater risk was for those who could not manage peer relationships.

Those with ADHD and depression experience very similar symptoms because of both diseases. These symptoms include loss of interest, insomnia, oversleeping, fatigue, extreme weight loss or gain, and the decreased ability to think or stay concentrated.

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