id like to know an answer to that myself actually, good question

My 17 yr. old son (when he was 14) was diagnosed with depression and ADHD (along with compulsions) and it still holds today. He is being treated/medicated for both and it is helping.

Depression is very commonly cormorbid with ADHD aswell as anxiety. Sometimes we become so frusterated and overwhelmed with failure and low self esteem that we break down and often go through phases of depression.

However, if only the depression is being treated, and the underlying cause is ADHD, then problems can result in treatments and thus make the ADHD ( a factor causing the depression) worse, therefore worsening the severity of the depression.

When getting diagnosed, a mental health professional has to be very careful to distinguish between the two, and based on the individual, decide which one to treat.

Hi there
I have taken different medications over the past 15 years for depression, none of which helped significantly for more than a few weeks. Since going on Concerta I have seen a wonderful decrease in depression and my moodiness has stabilized a lot. I was already taking an anti-depressant when I started on Concerta and after a few months decided with the support of my psychiatrist to come off of the Celexa, but I was not successful. I became very weepy and clingy to my husband. However I also suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and I tried to come off the Celexa just as the time change happened. I will wait until the spring and try again.
I have read that ADD ADHD often gets misdiagnosed as depression. I've also read that certain types of ADD can cause negative thoughts that stimulate a certain area of the brain that is under-active. So the person, seeking that stimulation, repetitively thinks negative thoughts and becomes depressed because of it. I'm not nearly as negative since taking Concerta. I don't want to push meds, because I know people who have ADD find very successful coping mechanisms and live very happily without medication. I just find in my case, Concerta has been really good.

my mind is too complicated. idk anymore

Thanks everyone for the responses! I'm getting tested for ADD on tuesday..a little nervous!

You may have both. I do. I am so glad that you are getting tested. Don't be nervous. It's good to know what you are dealing with so that you can get the right help.

Were you tested Karyl? I was wondering what I should expect. My appointment is scheduled for 3 hours and I've already discussed my symtpoms with a psychologist..what else is there?!

In order to confirm a diagnosis of ADHD, it may take several hours - which you should be glad about as it allows for more accuracy. For adult ADHD in particular, an extensive review and evaluation of a person's history in absolutely critical in order to diagnosis an attention disorder. Report cards should be looked over, specially the comments teacher's made over the years as well as the academic standings, inconsistency etc. There is alot more to a diagnosis than just symptoms GCshorty.

I've never been tested, but I have been seen by psychiatrists who have confirmed my ADD. My kids both have ADD/ADHD. While attending school, they were given psychologicals. It is a series of different tests which test memory and recall, and intelligence. These are not pass or fail type tests; they are assessment tests. Just relax. My son who is attending college (has aspergers) had new testing done just a few months ago. Part of the process was just talking to him about how his disability affects his life. I hope this helps.

Yeah, I've already went over my history and such with the psychologist. I think this test might be kind of what Karyl was talking about with the memory tests and stuff like that. I could be wrong though. Do you know if they can actually look at my brain waves? I just remember him saying that people with ADD have abnormal brain waves and ADD meds even it out.

Hope teusday goes well, I get evaluated teusday as well so I feel ya on the nervous thing.

Good luck Andy!

I was just recently tested and it just confirmed what my couselor I have been seeing for 6 months already knew, but I got on medication,

There are soooooooo many things worse than ADHD......soooo many.......

Being ADHD means tons of energy, the ability for conceptual thought....above average IQ....

Being depressed is quite common in society......one dosn't have to have ADHD to be depressed....

Yes, the mind can INDEED be very, very complicated.....

Gets old after a while, doesn't it?