If you have ADHD you will often have depression stemming from the experience of your life under ADHD, in the manner described in the post.
If you have depression as your primary issue, the problem of not getting things done is not usually due to distraction or executive dysfunction in the way that it is for ADHD. It’s more likely due to mental and emotional fatigue and feelings of uselessness/hopelessness, which then manifest as executive dysfunction.
The two problems are often co-morbid - appearing together. What makes the distinction is which of the two issues is primary. Are you depressed because of your executive dysfunction, or are you exhibiting characteristics of executive dysfunction because you’re depressed?
There is a lot of overlap in symptoms and in my experience a lot of ADHD adults (maybe especially women) are (mis)diagnosed as depressed before getting ADHD diagnoses and on medications. There can be some differences, like symptoms being continuous throughout your life despite not feeling depressed, having periods of hyper focus, or areas that you excel in.
They both worsen eachother. Depression makes you less motivated and worsens focus, ADHD does the same and you can get depressed because of it, it’s a cycle.
I usually hate doing the “please read this article,” but I think this piece describes really well the challenges faced by people with ADHD because if their lack of executive function. Important quote:
Tasks in the neurotypical world have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Individuals with ADHD don’t know where and how to start, since they can’t find the beginning. They jump into the middle of a task and work in all directions at once.
And I would add to that - if they jump in at all. A person with depression may not be folding their laundry because they cannot get out of bed. A person with ADHD may be up and around and doing a bunch of things but not the things they need to be doing, like folding laundry, because they don’t know where to start, and it’s way too overwhelming.
Then, it’s also possible to have depression and ADHD, especially since being neurodivergent can be fucking depressing. Then it’s a double whammy.
There is some overlap, but it’s different in how they play out internally. With depression it’s usually a pack of energy or motivation to do it, whereas with ADHD there may be plenty of energy (and even motivation) but there’s an inability to stop and change gears. There’s usually an internal struggle of “I really need to do that” but being incapable of actually making the decision to do so.
I remember things when I can’t do anything about it. Stepping over the laundry I forgot to start, but now I am in a hurry to go somewhere and don’t have time. I remember that I forgot to start the dishes after getting to work.
Add some anxiety in. They can also be interrelated to a high degree. I’m diagnosed with adhd and anxiety and on pills to keep the depression from killing me. Therapist wanted to focus on the anxiety because it may be at the core of all of it.
Can someone explain to me why this is ADHD and not depression? I see this as depression and general life struggles.
I’m coming from /all btw so just curious.
Edit: good explanations. Makes sense now. Pretty sure I don’t have ADHD but I do get depressed so comparing the two puts the other into perspective.
If you have ADHD you will often have depression stemming from the experience of your life under ADHD, in the manner described in the post.
If you have depression as your primary issue, the problem of not getting things done is not usually due to distraction or executive dysfunction in the way that it is for ADHD. It’s more likely due to mental and emotional fatigue and feelings of uselessness/hopelessness, which then manifest as executive dysfunction.
The two problems are often co-morbid - appearing together. What makes the distinction is which of the two issues is primary. Are you depressed because of your executive dysfunction, or are you exhibiting characteristics of executive dysfunction because you’re depressed?
There is a lot of overlap in symptoms and in my experience a lot of ADHD adults (maybe especially women) are (mis)diagnosed as depressed before getting ADHD diagnoses and on medications. There can be some differences, like symptoms being continuous throughout your life despite not feeling depressed, having periods of hyper focus, or areas that you excel in.
Plus ADHD and depression are comorbid, so a lot of what we think of as “ADHD symptoms” might be depression symptoms? Idk just a thought 😃
They both worsen eachother. Depression makes you less motivated and worsens focus, ADHD does the same and you can get depressed because of it, it’s a cycle.
Comorbidity is a bitch like that. Now what is this a symptom of?
I usually hate doing the “please read this article,” but I think this piece describes really well the challenges faced by people with ADHD because if their lack of executive function. Important quote:
And I would add to that - if they jump in at all. A person with depression may not be folding their laundry because they cannot get out of bed. A person with ADHD may be up and around and doing a bunch of things but not the things they need to be doing, like folding laundry, because they don’t know where to start, and it’s way too overwhelming.
Then, it’s also possible to have depression and ADHD, especially since being neurodivergent can be fucking depressing. Then it’s a double whammy.
I hope this helps explain it.
But when our “middle > out” process actually works? That shit is one of the best feelings ever.
holy fuck man, hyperfocus
there isn’t a drug available that does the same shit hyperfocus does to me
There is some overlap, but it’s different in how they play out internally. With depression it’s usually a pack of energy or motivation to do it, whereas with ADHD there may be plenty of energy (and even motivation) but there’s an inability to stop and change gears. There’s usually an internal struggle of “I really need to do that” but being incapable of actually making the decision to do so.
I remember things when I can’t do anything about it. Stepping over the laundry I forgot to start, but now I am in a hurry to go somewhere and don’t have time. I remember that I forgot to start the dishes after getting to work.
That is how I read it and related.
Add some anxiety in. They can also be interrelated to a high degree. I’m diagnosed with adhd and anxiety and on pills to keep the depression from killing me. Therapist wanted to focus on the anxiety because it may be at the core of all of it.