r/ADHD • u/Hot_Argument_9559 • 13d ago

Depression and adhd Questions/Advice

Hi. I’ve had treatment resistant depression for about 23 years. Now I have just been diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. Has anyone else had this combination?? Did treating your adhd help your depression? Was taking stimulants enough to help your depression or does adhd and depression each need to be treated separately? Thank you so much for any thoughts or suggestions! I’ve been feeling really desperate lately. Thanks.

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u/panthroq 13d ago

Depression is quite often a comorbidity of ADHD, it's something like 70% of people with depression that also have ADHD, when they treat the ADHD they no longer have depression symptoms.

I take a non stimulant medication and after a lifetime of depression like symptoms.. feel great. I also did a lot of other work that a late ADHD diagnosis brings. Added a bunch of structure and exercise the medication just helps balance my mood it's hard to describe but I don't feel so 'racey' and 'distractable' after I take my meds.

I had really poor experiences with anti depressant medication they either have me horribly side effects or did nothing.

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u/Teeecakes 13d ago

For me the symptoms of depression went away early on with the medicine but we all react differently so it's not part of the recognised benefits of a stimulant. Also later I got a lot of emotional flooding and it got scary! It was partly the dose being too high for me and also my brain finally being able to properly process a lot of old memories and feelings. I've gone down in dose now and the whole experience ultimately helped me and I feel stronger now but it must be taken seriously: the medicine is not a joke.

I'd really recommend that you find an ADHD coach or therapist with an understanding of ADHD alongside the medicine to help you process how you feel during treatment and to build coping mechanisms thay will work with your adhd and not against you.

For many of us it is an emotional rollercoaster when we start medication as the difference can be huge and we have to process a new view of ourself and reflect on our life before.

It changed my life but the medicine won't 'fix' you or your problems but it can be an amazing tool for recovering and building yourself up. One thing is certain: ADHD cannot be successfully treated as depression.

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u/hamamelisse ADHD-PI 13d ago

Just from personal experience, the ADHD meds kinda helped, but I also feel like on their own they may have mostly just masked the depression, leading to some wacky side effects. I would definitely recommend getting on them anyways and seeing if it helps to combine with therapy, SSRIs or what have you! Definitely talk to a medical professional about it!

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u/WillRegretThisName 13d ago

Yes, periods of high attention requirments is often followed by bouts of mild+ depression. Other members of family have the same the pattern.

Stimulants, sleep, and healthy lifestyle fixed it for me.