Hi there, I've suffered with depression and low mood for a couple of decades and was diagnosed ADHD two years ago...which came first? I can't help thinking there is direct correlation between the two...Also is there CHADD network in the UK?
Take care people.
They often go together: Adhd and depression. Also adhd & anxiety.
So yes ADHD is crazy frustrating and maddening. You have to work much harder at so many tasks than other people. Sometimes the ADHD has to work so much harder and the results still are not as good as people working a fraction of the time. (Lots of tedious tasks are like this.) This is depression following ADHD, depression as a result of the frustrations of ADHD.
The language for the above kind of depression is symptom ... depression can be a symptom of ADHD.
But there is another depression--not caused by ADHD, according to researchers. This depression is called "comorbid" meaning depression frequently goes along with ADHD.
People with adhd brains may just be more vulnerable to depression--on a biological level.
So it can help to treat both conditions.
The most likely scenario is that your actions, which were caused by ADHD, caused negative reactions from those you interacted with. As a child, you likely suffered through traumatic events due to this and that's where your depression came in. It's also important to know that Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is quite common with ADHD. It's easy for me to tell you to forgive yourself, but the reality is that it's difficult to do so. It's taken me years and I still struggle with RSD, among other things.
So know that this is common and one of the best things you can do is acknowledge your feelings out of the gate. At the very least, that sets you up to move out of a bout of depression.
We're born with ADHD.
ADHD has genetic and environmental factors that cause it and affect the severity of it.
It's possible for anyone to develop depression, given the right circumstances. However, many people might be more prone to developing depression due to their genes.
Some research also find that there is a strong correlation between the two, with people who have ADHD being much more likely to develop depression than neurotypical people.
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As far as I can tell, there is no CHADD affiliate in the UK. CHADD affiliates appear to only be found in the US. (Ironically, the founders of HealthUnlocked.com are from the UK.)
This online community here is great that it is available for all of us who have ADHD, whether from the UK, US, or elsewhere.
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You might try checking
adhduk.co.uk/ for information on ADHD support groups in the UK (if you are looking for in-person support groups).
Hello Fruitloop1,
Thank you for contacting CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD. There is a CHADD network in Europe that could be helpful. Here is the link adhdeurope.eu/
Here is some information that you can read about ADHD and depression. chadd.org/about-adhd/depres... and chadd.org/adhd-weekly/when-...
If you have further questions, please let us know. We are here to help!
Liseth
Health Information Specialist
CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD chadd.org
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