When ADHD and depression occur together, they often make each other worse. ADHD may lead to repeated negative interactions with parents, teachers, and peers. These experiences are demoralizing, and they only add to depressed feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and low self-esteem. Depression, in turn, may sap a teen’s motivation, making it harder to marshal the effort needed to get ADHD symptoms under control. When a teen is stuck in this negative cycle, treatment needs to address both ADHD and depression.
