By Hugo Elliot
Introduction
Today, millions of people around the world suffer from some form of mental health disorder that has become a part of their daily lives. These include ADHD, depression, anxiety, and more. Mark Roemer Oakland believes that you should not ignore the early signs of mental health disorders and diagnose them early to prevent further deterioration and improve the chances of recovering quickly.
Moreover, studies have found that ADHD can lead to the development of other mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Let’s look at the details below.
The link between ADHD and Anxiety
According to studies, about 30% of children and 50% of adults that suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also suffer from an anxiety disorder. It is not clear what causes anxiety in people that suffer from ADHD and vice versa but the prevailing theory is a combination of genetics, premature birth, and environmental toxins.
The symptoms of anxiety disorder and ADHD can often overlap, and it becomes difficult to assess whether somebody suffers from an anxiety disorder, ADHD, or both without a professional evaluation.
However, family members who can monitor the behavior of a person for a long time may also be able to tell the difference between ADHD and anxiety by diagnosing the symptoms of both mental disorders.
The common symptoms that overlap with both ADHD and anxiety disorder include:
- Difficulty paying attention or concentrating on tasks
- The inability to relax or feeling restless all the time or during certain situations.
Patients who suffer from both anxiety disorder and ADHD can show more intense symptoms since one condition negatively impact the other. For instance, somebody with both ADHD and anxiety disorder can find it even more difficult to deal with the chronic feelings of nervousness and have trouble following instructions or dealing with fear and irrationality.
The link between ADHD and Depression
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes a person to become inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive which causes them a lot of problems in their daily life. For instance, they might not be able to perform well in school, work environments, or even in relationships.
Constant underachievement and social ostracism can lead to loneliness, sadness, and a general lack of interest in daily life activities which can lead to depression. Common symptoms of ADHD and depression include irritability, mood changes, and sleeping difficulties.
Studies show that people with ADHD are more likely to form other types of mental disorders such as anxiety and depression due to too much stress in their lives. Although the symptoms of ADHD and depression can be similar, they appear for different reasons.
For instance, a person with ADHD may not complete tasks due to the inability to concentrate whereas a person with depression may not complete tasks since they lack interest and feel there is no value in completing such tasks.
Conclusion
According to Mark Roemer Oakland, medications for ADHD often have side effects that can worsen the symptoms of depression or cause symptoms that imitate the symptoms of depression. Thus, it is crucial to not self-diagnose such problems and seek professional advice from doctors.
