Depressive Disorders and ADHD

Children with ADHD can have a range of problems. A common problem for children with ADHD involves their mood. Children with ADHD may frequently struggle with the way they feel. They may feel frequently sad or withdrawn. Children with ADHD may also be frequently grouchy, irritable, or have temper tantrums. While all children are in bad moods from time to time, some children need help with their feelings. These children may have a depressive disorder. Children who struggle with tough feelings and ADHD need special treatment. It is important that these problems are diagnosed when present. Below is information about two such disorders: depression and disruptive mood disregulation disorder.

• Depression. Many people with ADHD go on to develop depression. In fact, about 10-30% of children with ADHD also struggle with depression. Here is some information about the diagnosis of depression:
• The terms professionals use to categorize depression are "persistent depressive disorder" and "Major Depressive Disorder." An older term that some professionals may use is "dysthymia."
• People with depression feel sad most days or stop being interested in things they once liked.
• Sometimes children are grouchy or irritable instead of sad.
• Depressed people also have some of the following problems:
• Weight loss or gain
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• Not having energy
• Feeling worthless
• Trouble concentrating
• Thinking about suicide or death

• ADHD normally comes before depression. That is, people with ADHD develop problems with depression over time. It is not completely clear why ADHD and depression co-occur. Here are some theories about why people with ADHD may also have problems with depression:
• People with ADHD may become depressed because of low self-esteem. Children with ADHD can be left out of activities with peers. They may not get invited to birthday parties or to go out for pizza after a game. They may have less friends than other children. Children with ADHD may also get in trouble at home and school. They may be punished even if they are not trying to be bad. They may also get poor grades. All of these things can take a tool on children's self-esteem. Overtime, children with ADHD may start to feel bad about themselves and develop depression.
• There may be genetic/heredity reasons why ADHD and depression co-occur. Genes that put people at risk for ADHD may also put people at risk for depression. In fact, high rates of ADHD and depression are often found in the same families.


• Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD). The new book used by professionals to diagnose mental health disorders, called the DSM 5, includes DMDD as a new disorder. Symptoms of DMDD include:
• Child has lots (3 or more times a week) of big tantrums
• Child is irritable or grouchy most days
• Tantrums and irritability occur in multiple places (like home and at school)
• Because DMDD is a new disorder, information about it is limited. It can only be diagnosed in children ages 6-18. It is possible for children to be diagnosed with ADHD and DMDD.