ADHD Insights: Depression and ADHD

ADHD With Depression – Serious Business

The details are in from the CHADD National Resource Center on ADHD:

“- nearly two thirds of these children with ADHD suffer from another condition such as depression or anxiety disorders in addition to their ADHD.”¹

The only problem with that impressive two thirds number: too many don’t understand the clinical relevance of serotonin treatment in the context of a dopamine challenge with ADHD. Antidepressants treat serotonin related issues, and stimulants treat dopamine issues. Basic.

But you can’t treat dopamine problems with serotonin reuptake inhibitors – nor can you treat serotonin related conditions with dopamine reuptake inhibitors. One neurotransmitter modifier will not globally improve all unbalanced neurotransmitters. That observation may at first seem profoundly commonsensical, but a casual glance at psychiatric second opinions will confirm that far too many don’t connect with that simple observation.

[On the accurate treatment theme: See this ADHD Medication Tutorial for an overview on ADHD diagnosis and stimulant dosage strategies].

Imprecise Clinical Objectives Create Serious Problems

What if you came in to see me, for example, as a family practice physician with a known heart problem, and I told you I was going to treat you with insulin? Scary. Mixed, imprecise treatments don’t work in general medicine, and they don’t work in mind medicine either. These are some causes and potential outcomes to overlooking these important dopamine and serotonin details.

Drug interactions with Depression and ADHD – mainly 2D6.
Basal Ganglia Seesaw Reactions [post from '06] on both sides of the dopamine/serotonin continuum.
Stimulants make depression worse.
Antidepressants make ADHD worse – SPECT brain scan evidence supported repeatedly.

Helpful Video Update Spells Out Details – 4:37min

Details On Cognitive Depression Coming

Stay tuned here for improved breakdowns on cognitive depression – so often missed in clinical practice and so relevant for using the correct medications. And pass this post along on your social networks↓, this report provides exceedingly relevant, indeed preventative, information.

1. J. Biederman, S.V. Faraone, & K. Lapey (1992). Comorbidity of diagnosis in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In G. Weiss (Ed.), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, child & adolescent clinics of North America. Philadelphia: Sanders.