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How ADHD can affect your mental health

The challenges that come with ADHD go way beyond trouble paying attention or staying organized. ADHD symptoms, like impulsivity, being late or forgetful, or having trouble managing emotions can cause serious life challenges. People with ADHD report consistently lower levels of self-esteem. And they’re more likely to have a negative self-concept than their neurotypical peers. It’s not hard to see why.

The fallout from ADHD can make it feel like you’re always in trouble. You may feel like you’re letting people down. There are also other less-known issues, like trouble sleeping and . These can add up to even more stress.

Over time, these feelings and experiences chip away at your self-confidence. All of that can lead to poorer overall mental health. For some people with ADHD, it can end up leading to diagnosable psychiatric conditions, like anxiety and depression, reports.

Key takeaways

• ADHD does more than affect focus. It can also harm self-esteem, cause burnout, increase stress, and lead to sleep problems that make ADHD symptoms worse.
• ADHD often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and bipolar disorder. That makes it harder to get the right diagnosis.
• Understanding how ADHD affects mental health can help you get the right support. Talking to a health care provider, counselor, or trusted person is a good place to start.

ADHD plus other mental health challenges

That can make it hard for health care providers to find the right diagnosis. For example, ADHD and anxiety can both make it hard to focus and manage emotions. This overlap means you might get a different diagnosis before — or instead of — an ADHD diagnosis.

Understanding how ADHD impacts your mental health can help you understand your needs. Keeping track of your mental health and how it affects your ADHD symptoms can help you and your health care provider identify trends. And these trends can help you identify when you might need some support.

Read on to learn more about the connection between ADHD and mental health.

Stress and burnout

ADHD can make life feel overwhelming at times. Research suggests that This ongoing stress can feed a .

What a burnout cycle might look like:

• Your ADHD makes it hard to stay on top of tasks.
• You feel stressed because you’re struggling to get things done.
• The stress you feel makes your ADHD symptoms worse.
• And repeat.

Tip: Be honest with yourself about what you can handle. It’s OK if you need to step back from some responsibilities or social plans. Sometimes with ADHD, everything feels equally important. Take some time to consider what you can let go. (Do you really need to color-code your socks right now?) This can help you identify and focus on your top priorities.

Increased mental load

ADHD brains work overtime. All the time. This leads to what’s called “cognitive overload.” Your can’t keep up with all of the information you need in the moment. Being overloaded makes ADHD symptoms feel worse. And

Tip: Writing things down can help. Planners, calendars, or reminders make it easier to manage time and stay organized. Sticking to a consistent schedule can also help. Ask for support when you need it. That will ease stress and help you stay on track.

Issues with self-confidence

Women tend to feel greater pressure to be good at planning and organization — tasks that are more difficult with ADHD. It’s easy to blame yourself when you have a hard time with tasks you think you “should” be good at. These struggles mean that women with ADHD often grew up hearing a lot of , such as “You’re lazy,” or “If you’d just try harder.”

Being told these things again and again may have taken a toll on your confidence. You may have started to think it’s all true. That’s why it’s important to find the right diagnosis and get support.

Tip: Reframe negative self-talk. Instead of saying “I’m such a mess,” you could try “My ADHD makes it hard for me to stay organized. I just don’t have those skills yet.”

Fatigue

Adults with ADHD experience After all, it takes a lot of time, energy, and brain power to manage life with ADHD.

You might find it . ADHD can affect brain chemicals that trigger sleepiness and alertness. It also often shifts the body’s internal clock. That makes it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or keep a normal schedule.

People with ADHD are more likely to have sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. Sleeplessness can make it harder to manage your emotions. And it may worsen ADHD symptoms like trouble with memory and focus. Research shows that .

Tip: Recognize that an ADHD brain may require more support for sleep. One place to start is by reviewing your .

Changes that might help:

• Limiting caffeine
• Avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed
• Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day

If you still have trouble sleeping, consider seeing a sleep specialist.

Other mental health concerns

ADHD often . In fact, as many as 80% of adults and have at least one other mental health condition. Some of the most common are:

Anxiety

Symptoms of ADHD and anxiety can look similar. Either one might result in being easily distracted, feeling restless, or having trouble completing tasks. Because symptoms can look alike, some people receive an anxiety diagnosis when they actually have ADHD. Or they may be diagnosed with ADHD instead of anxiety.

It’s also very common to have both . As many as half of those living with ADHD And the disorders feed into one another. For example, if you’re anxious about a project, that anxiety can make it even harder for you to focus. And if your ADHD makes it hard to do a task, you may feel anxious about that.

Tip: Both ADHD and anxiety are treatable, but the treatments are different. Getting the right diagnosis is key. Talk to your health care provider if you suspect you may have ADHD and anxiety.

Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad. It can make it hard to do everyday tasks, like doing laundry or even getting out of bed. often go hand in hand. And the symptoms can look similar.

Sometimes, people develop depression for reasons unrelated to ADHD. They may have a family history of depression or a physical illness. Other times, they develop depression because of their ADHD-related experiences. They may have low self-esteem and negative self-image. They may struggle in work or school life due to ADHD symptoms. Or have a hard time managing relationships.

Tip: Among people with ADHD, Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with depression than with ADHD. It’s important to get a good evaluation so that you can get the support you need.

Social anxiety

ADHD symptoms can make it harder to connect with people. You might miss social cues, feel out of place, say too little, or talk too much. The more socially awkward you feel, the more anxiety it causes. You might feel anxious in social situations. But if you start to avoid or fear them, it can be a sign of social anxiety disorder. Many people with social anxiety disorder also have ADHD.

Tip: Be gentle with yourself. Remember that you have a lot to offer. You are worthy of love and acceptance. The kinder you are to yourself, the more courage you will have to make small, manageable social moves. You might compliment a co-worker, chat with your barista, or speak up in a group chat. Over time, small successes will help you relax and feel less anxious.

If your social anxiety keeps you from going out and interacting with others, speak to your health care provider.

Postpartum mood disorders

Research shows that mothers with ADHD are five times more likely to experience than mothers without ADHD.

The hormone estrogen increases during pregnancy. This increase boosts the happy hormone dopamine and can reduce ADHD symptoms. But this boost is only temporary. This can leave you feeling sad or depressed. Sadness that gets worse or that doesn’t go away can be a sign of a postpartum mood disorder.

Tip: Talk to your health care provider about the pros and cons of continuing ADHD medication during pregnancy. And let family and friends know that you may need extra support during those first few months after giving birth. If you notice that you’re still feeling down or anxious after a few weeks, consider talking to a professional.

Bipolar disorder

ADHD doesn’t cause bipolar disorder. But the two share some symptoms.

Moods can shift from very low (depression) to very high (mania). Both ADHD and bipolar disorder can include mood swings, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention.

Tip: Medication isn’t “one size fits all.” It requires careful management for people who have both bipolar disorder and ADHD.

Eating disorders

People with ADHD — especially women — are more likely to develop an . The most common eating disorders associated with ADHD are

Researchers aren’t exactly sure why ADHD is linked to those eating disorders. Experts think some people with ADHD may overeat to satisfy their brain’s need for stimulation. Difficulty with self-control and inattention may also factor in. Healthy eating requires planning, organizing, managing time, and handling cravings — all of which are hard for people with ADHD. Some people may forget to eat all day and end up overeating later on.

Tip: Eating disorders are serious. If you’re struggling with disordered eating, don’t keep it to yourself. Reach out to a friend or family member, or check out the for more resources.

Substance use disorder

Around 1 in 4 people with ADHD misuse substances like Misusing substances can cause and problems at work and in relationships. All of this can worsen ADHD symptoms.

Having ADHD can make you more impulsive or likely to take risks. This impulsivity can lead people with ADHD to try or misuse substances. Some people also use substances to self-medicate and improve their focus, mood, or sleep. Though substance use may offer temporary relief, it won’t help manage symptoms long-term. And it can ultimately end up worsening ADHD symptoms.

Substance use disorder is more common in men. And, like ADHD, the

Tip: Being thoughtful about your relationship with substances is important. For help dealing with substance use, visit SAMHSA.gov/find-help. And if you or someone you know is in crisis, you can reach a reliable crisis helpline by dialing or texting 988.

Next steps

Understanding is key. Don’t keep mental health concerns to yourself. Talk to a friend, your partner, or someone you trust. You can also reach out to a counselor or therapist. Or consider tapping into online resources and support groups. Finding resources can make it easier to get the support you need to thrive.

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