ADHD and Depression: How They’re Linked and How to Tell Them Apart

Short answer: ADHD and depression often occur together: depression is more common in adults with ADHD than in adults without it,¹ and a large UK study suggests ADHD may raise the risk of depression later in life.² Both can make it hard to concentrate and to sleep well,³⁴⁵ but ADHD begins in early childhood,⁶ while depression means feeling sad or low more intensely and for longer than the ordinary ups and downs everyone has.⁵ Having one doesn’t rule out the other, so it’s worth talking to a GP about both.

How common is depression in adults with ADHD?

Many people with ADHD also have other conditions, such as anxiety and depression.⁶ The Australian ADHD Guideline puts it more strongly for adults: up to 80% of adults with ADHD have at least one other mental health condition, and depressive disorders are among those it lists.⁷

A 2022 systematic review of 32 studies of adults found that mood disorders were among the most frequent conditions to occur alongside ADHD — second only to substance use disorders — and were more common than in adults without ADHD.¹ In the general-population studies it looked at, between 8.6% and 55% of adults with ADHD had a depressive disorder, compared with 1.2% to 12.5% of adults without ADHD.¹ The ranges are wide partly because the studies used different diagnostic tools,¹ so it’s the overall pattern, rather than any single figure, that matters.

In the US, a large national survey also found that ADHD in adults was significantly linked with other mental health conditions.⁸

Can ADHD cause depression?

ADHD may make depression more likely, but it doesn’t make it inevitable.

A UK study that followed 8,310 people from birth found that children who had ADHD at age 7 were more likely to have depression at ages 18 to 25 (odds ratio 1.35).² Genetic analyses in the same study, using a method called Mendelian randomisation that draws on genetic data to test for cause and effect, were consistent with a genetic tendency to ADHD raising the risk of major depression (odds ratio 1.21), although the results differed for broader definitions of depression.² The authors concluded that ADHD increases the risk of depression later in life.² Still, this is a single study, and it points to a raised risk, not a certainty.

Why the link exists isn’t fully understood. People with ADHD may also experience low self-esteem, anxiety and chronic stress,⁹ so it’s worth paying attention to your mood and stress levels, not just your ADHD symptoms.

Is it ADHD or depression? Symptoms that overlap

Some symptoms show up in both conditions, which is one reason they can be confused:

• Trouble concentrating. Problems concentrating are a symptom of depression,⁵ and being easily distracted by unrelated things or thoughts is one of the official ADHD symptoms.³
• Low motivation and getting less done. Depression can reduce motivation and make you less productive at school or work.⁵ In ADHD, forgetting daily tasks such as chores and errands is a recognised symptom.³
• Sleep problems. Depression can change your sleep and appetite,⁵ and studies report insomnia in 43–80% of adults with ADHD.⁴ Not getting enough sleep can itself affect attention, memory and how well you manage emotions,¹⁰ which muddies the picture further.

Anxiety can blur things too, because it also makes concentrating difficult.¹¹ If that sounds familiar, see ADHD and anxiety.

Overlapping symptoms like these make diagnosis harder,¹² so a symptom checklist on its own can’t tell you which condition you have — or whether you have both.

ADHD vs depression: key differences

These are general patterns clinicians consider, not a way to diagnose yourself.

	ADHD	Depression
Pattern	Starts in childhood: symptoms must be present before age 123	Comes in episodes of feeling sad or low more intensely and for longer than usual5
Over time	Long-standing; an adult diagnosis needs evidence that symptoms began in childhood6	Symptoms lasting 2 weeks or more are a reason to see a GP5
Mood	Emotions can be intense and shift quickly13	Sadness and low mood5
Interest and enjoyment	Some adults hyperfocus for hours on activities that interest them9	Loss of interest or pleasure5

Difficulty regulating emotions is also common in adults with ADHD,⁷ but intense, changeable feelings aren’t the same as depression. ADHD and emotional dysregulation explains more.

If periods of low mood alternate with highs — times of unusually high energy, less need for sleep or risky behaviour — tell your doctor, as this pattern can be a sign of bipolar disorder.¹⁴ See ADHD vs bipolar disorder. If your low mood tends to follow your menstrual cycle, see ADHD and PMDD.

Where burnout fits in

People often use the term “ADHD burnout” for the exhaustion that can follow a long stretch of pushing hard to keep up. It can feel a lot like depression. Our guide to ADHD burnout vs depression looks at how to tell them apart, and if exhaustion or low mood doesn’t lift, it’s worth seeing your GP.

Why ADHD can be missed when you’re depressed

When two conditions overlap, one can hide the other. The Australian ADHD Guideline warns clinicians that a co-occurring condition can lead to a missed ADHD diagnosis, and that a co-occurring condition can itself be missed when ADHD symptoms are present.¹⁵

This is a particular issue for girls and women. An international expert consensus statement notes that girls with ADHD often go unrecognised, often mask their difficulties with compensatory behaviours, and are more likely to be diagnosed first with a condition such as anxiety or depression, which delays the ADHD diagnosis.¹⁶ Australia’s 2023 Senate inquiry into ADHD heard that girls and women are commonly misdiagnosed with other mental health conditions first.¹⁷ Read more about undiagnosed ADHD in women.

In practice, if you’ve been treated for depression but problems with focus, organisation or restlessness go back to childhood and continue even when your mood is better, it’s worth raising ADHD with your GP. The reverse matters too: if you have ADHD and your mood has been low for weeks, depression deserves attention in its own right.

Treatment when you have both

Depression is treatable. Options include lifestyle changes such as exercise and good sleep, talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), and medicines.⁵

For ADHD, the Australian ADHD Guideline recommends medication as the most effective treatment for core symptoms, with non-medication treatments adding support, and says CBT should be offered to adults.¹⁸ It also recommends best-practice treatment for any co-occurring condition, such as depression.¹⁸ When two conditions occur together, guidelines generally advise treating whichever is most impairing first.¹²

If you’d like to see a psychologist, ask your GP about the Better Access initiative: it provides Medicare rebates for mental health care, including up to 10 individual sessions a calendar year, and your GP decides whether you’re eligible.¹⁹

Make sure everyone involved in your care knows about both conditions and any medicines you take, and don’t start, stop or change a medicine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

Getting support

See your GP if low mood or other symptoms have lasted 2 weeks or more, or are affecting how you cope at home, school or work.⁵ If you’re struggling or having thoughts of suicide, don’t wait for an appointment: call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours a day) or text 0477 13 11 14,²⁰ or call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 (24/7). In an emergency, or if you or someone else needs help now, call 000.²¹

Frequently asked questions

Can ADHD cause depression?

ADHD may raise the risk. In a large UK study, children with ADHD were more likely to be depressed as young adults, and genetic analyses were consistent with ADHD playing a causal role. Having ADHD doesn’t mean you will become depressed, though.

How common is depression in people with ADHD?

Depression is more common in adults with ADHD than in adults without it. A 2022 review found that in general-population studies, 8.6% to 55% of adults with ADHD had a depressive disorder, compared with 1.2% to 12.5% of those without ADHD.

How can I tell if it’s ADHD or depression?

ADHD starts in childhood and is a long-standing pattern. Depression comes in episodes of feeling sad or low more intensely and for longer than usual, often with a loss of interest. Because the symptoms overlap and you can have both, an assessment with a GP is the way to find out.

Can depression hide ADHD?

It can. A co-occurring condition such as depression can lead to ADHD being missed. Girls and women with ADHD are often diagnosed with another condition, such as anxiety or depression, before their ADHD is recognised.

How is depression treated when you also have ADHD?

Depression can be treated with lifestyle changes, talking therapies such as CBT, and medicines. Each condition should be properly treated, and guidelines suggest starting with whichever causes the most difficulty. Your doctor can help you plan this.

When should I see a GP about low mood?

If low mood or other symptoms last 2 weeks or more, or make it hard to cope with daily life, see a GP. For crisis support at any time, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, and in an emergency call 000.

Next steps

Read ADHD symptoms in adults and how to get an ADHD assessment in Australia, or start with the free ADHD self-assessment.

This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Only a qualified health professional can diagnose ADHD. ADHD GP is a private telehealth clinic staffed by AHPRA-registered Australian GPs.

Book your ADHD assessment

References

1. Choi WS, Woo YS, Wang SM, et al. The prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in adult ADHD compared with non-ADHD populations: A systematic literature review. PLoS One. 2022. PubMed PMID 36331985 — Review of 32 studies: substance use, mood, anxiety and personality disorders were more common in adults with ADHD; in general-population studies depression affected 8.6–55% with ADHD vs 1.2–12.5% without, bipolar disorder 4.5–35.3% vs 0.2–3.6%, and personality disorders 0.3–33.8% vs 0–3.9%.
2. Riglin L, Leppert B, Dardani C, et al. ADHD and depression: investigating a causal explanation. Psychological Medicine. 2021. PubMed PMID 32249726 — In a UK birth cohort (8,310 people), childhood ADHD predicted depression at 18–25 (OR 1.35); genetic analyses suggested ADHD liability causally raises the risk of major depression (OR 1.21).
3. American Psychiatric Association. What is ADHD?. 2025. www.psychiatry.org — ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children; symptoms must be present before age 12; an estimated 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD; listed symptoms include fidgeting, feeling restless (in adults), talking too much and forgetting daily tasks.
4. Wynchank D, Bijlenga D, Beekman AT, Kooij JJS, Penninx BW. Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Insomnia: an Update of the Literature. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2017. PubMed PMID 29086065 — Studies report insomnia in 43–80% of adults with ADHD.
5. healthdirect (Australian Government). Depression. 2025. www.healthdirect.gov.au — Depression means feeling sad or low more intensely and for longer than usual; symptoms can include problems concentrating, reduced motivation and being less productive at school or work; it can be treated with lifestyle changes, talking therapies such as CBT and medicines; see a GP if symptoms last 2 weeks or more.
6. healthdirect (Australian Government). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 2025. www.healthdirect.gov.au — ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in early childhood; around 1 in 20 people in Australia has ADHD; it is partly genetic; an adult diagnosis requires evidence that symptoms began in childhood; learning difficulties can occur alongside it.
7. Australian ADHD Professionals Association. About ADHD (Australian ADHD Guideline). 2022. adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au — ADHD affects 6–10% of Australian children and 2–6% of adults; heritability 70–80%; symptoms begin before 12 though diagnosis may come later; 60–86% persist into adulthood; inattentive presentation most prevalent; up to 80% of adults have another mental health condition, such as depressive, bipolar, anxiety or substance use disorders, and cluster B and C personality disorders are more common; describes executive-function difficulties (working memory, planning, sustained attention, inhibitory control), brain-maturation and dopamine differences.
8. Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al. The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006. PubMed PMID 16585449 — Estimated prevalence of current adult ADHD 4.4%; ADHD significantly correlated with other DSM-IV disorders.
9. Healthy Male (funded by the Australian Government). Adult ADHD diagnosis in Australia: What you need to know. 2026. healthymale.org.au — In adults, impulsivity can look like excessive spending, risk-taking, conflict with others, interrupting and talking excessively; managing finances and meeting work deadlines can be difficult; some adults ‘hyperfocus’ for hours on activities that interest them, and hyperactivity can show as feeling restless and unable to relax.
10. Better Health Channel (Victorian Government). Sleep deprivation. 2014. www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au — Insufficient sleep can impair memory, attention, emotional regulation and the speed of processing information; even short-term sleep deprivation can impair these functions.
11. healthdirect (Australian Government). Anxiety. 2024. www.healthdirect.gov.au — Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in Australia, affecting 1 in 4 at some stage; symptoms include difficulty concentrating; CBT and self-care such as exercise and less caffeine can help.
12. Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, et al. Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017. PubMed PMID 28830387 — Adult ADHD often co-occurs with mood and anxiety disorders, with strong familial and neurobiological links; overlapping symptoms complicate diagnosis; guidelines advise treating the most impairing condition first.
13. Beheshti A, Chavanon ML, Christiansen H. Emotion dysregulation in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2020. PubMed PMID 32164655 — Meta-analysis of 13 studies (2,535 participants): adults with ADHD had much greater emotion dysregulation than controls (Hedges’ g 1.17), with emotional lability the largest effect (g 1.20).
14. healthdirect (Australian Government). Bipolar disorder. 2024. www.healthdirect.gov.au — Bipolar disorder is an ongoing mood disorder with episodes of mania or hypomania and depression; around 1 in 50 Australians has it; treatment includes medicines, psychological therapy and lifestyle changes.
15. Australian ADHD Professionals Association. Australian ADHD Guideline — Chapter 2: diagnosis. 2022. adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au — Clinicians should know which conditions commonly co-occur with ADHD, as a co-occurring condition may result in a missed ADHD diagnosis, or a missed co-occurring condition when ADHD symptoms are present.
16. Young S, Adamo N, Ásgeirsdóttir BB, et al. Females with ADHD: An expert consensus statement taking a lifespan approach providing guidance for the identification and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women. BMC Psychiatry. 2020; 20:404. PubMed PMID 32787804 — Expert consensus: the gap between males and females diagnosed with ADHD is due at least in part to lack of recognition and referral bias in females; many girls with ADHD are likely to remain unidentified and untreated, often mask with compensatory behaviours, and are more likely to first be diagnosed with an internalising or personality disorder, delaying the ADHD diagnosis.
17. Parliament of Australia — Senate Community Affairs References Committee. Assessment and support services for people with ADHD — Chapter 3: barriers to assessment and diagnosis. 2023. www.aph.gov.au — Almost all adult ADHD assessment and diagnosis in Australia is done through the private sector, and cost is a barrier to diagnosis. The committee heard that gender bias has led to under- and misdiagnosis of ADHD in girls and women, who are commonly misdiagnosed with other mental health conditions first and often learn to mask their symptoms; a survey cited by the committee found 86% of more than 570 respondents had tried to mask or hide their ADHD at school or work.
18. Australian ADHD Professionals Association. Australian ADHD Guideline — summary of recommendations. 2022. adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au — Medication is the most effective treatment for core symptoms, with non-medication treatments adding support (3.1.1); diagnosing clinicians should be registered and trained in ADHD assessment (2.1.1); the diagnosis must be confirmed before starting medication (5.1.2); CBT should be offered to adults (4.2.11); stimulants are first-line for impairing adult ADHD, with heart rate, blood pressure, weight, sleep, mood and anxiety monitored during titration; co-occurring conditions get best-practice treatment.
19. Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Better Access initiative. 2026. www.health.gov.au — Medicare rebates for mental health care from GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists and other eligible providers; up to 10 individual and 10 group allied mental health sessions each calendar year; your GP decides eligibility.
20. Lifeline Australia. Lifeline home page. 2026. www.lifeline.org.au — Lifeline offers 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 (or text 0477 13 11 14); if life is in danger, call Triple Zero (000).
21. healthdirect (Australian Government). Mental health helplines. 2025. www.healthdirect.gov.au — Lifeline (13 11 14) offers 24-hour crisis support and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) is available 24/7; if someone is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000).

Sources were last checked on 5 October 2026. See all sources used on this site on our Sources page.