If you have ADHD or know someone who does, you might have noticed the rollercoaster of emotions that can come with it. One moment, everything feels fine; the next, you’re hit with frustration, sadness, or even anger. It is all unpredictable like the British weather!
I’ve often wondered myself—how do you tell if those emotional lows are depression or something else? It turns out, these intense emotional shifts can often be mistaken for depression when they’re actually part of mood dysregulation, a common challenge for people with ADHD.
Let’s explore how mood dysregulation differs from depression, why understanding the difference matters, and how to get the right support.
What is Mood Dysregulation in ADHD?
Mood dysregulation in ADHD is all about struggling to manage emotions. It’s that feeling of being swept away by sudden, intense emotions—anger, frustration, or sadness—that are often disproportionate or can appear to come out of nowhere.
For example, imagine you’re trying to finish a task that feels impossible, and suddenly, feelings of frustration take over. Or maybe you lose your keys, and panic and despair sets in because your plans are derailed. These feelings can be very intense and take some time to fully recover from, but they tend to pass once the immediate trigger is resolved or other matters in your life take over.
Triggers for mood dysregulation can vary, but common ones include feeling overwhelmed, criticised, or bored. Big life disruptions are also a proven trigger. For example, during the Covid lockdown, vulnerable people with ADHD were overly represented with mental health problems including anxiety, depression and difficulties focussing on simple everyday tasks.
How is Depression Different?
Depression is different because it is deeper and more long-lasting.
If you’re depressed, you might find it hard to get out of bed, feel constantly drained, or lose interest in things that once made you happy. These feelings don’t come and go—they linger for weeks, months, or even longer. Depression can feel like a heavy fog that refuses to lift, leaving you feeling insignificant or hopeless.
Unlike mood dysregulation, depression isn’t always tied to specific events or situations. It seeps into every part of life, affecting self-esteem and making it hard to function day-to-day. That’s why diagnosing depression early is so important—it helps prevent it from becoming a more severe, long-term health problem.
The Overlap Between ADHD and Depression
Here’s where things get tricky: ADHD and depression can coexist. In fact, people with ADHD are more likely to experience depression than those without it.
Why? Living with the challenges of ADHD—like trouble focusing, impulsivity, or feeling disorganized—can lead to chronic stress, low self-esteem, and frustration. Over time, these feelings can grow into depression.
On top of that, ADHD often impacts work, relationships, and daily routines, adding extra layers of stress and isolation that can fuel depression. It’s a complicated mix, but understanding it is the first step toward untangling it.
Why the Distinction Matters
Figuring out whether you’re dealing with mood dysregulation or depression is crucial because the treatments are different.
Mood Dysregulation: This is best managed by addressing ADHD itself. Strategies like behavioural therapy, ADHD medication, and lifestyle changes (like regular exercise, enough sleep, and structured routines) can help. Learning emotional regulation skills—through cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or creative outlets like art or music—can also be transformative.
Depression: If depression is part of the picture, treatments like therapy (especially CBT), antidepressant medication, and lifestyle adjustments come into play. At the same time, addressing ADHD symptoms is critical, as untreated ADHD can make it harder to recover from depression.
Getting the right diagnosis ensures you’re not only managing the symptoms but also tackling the root causes.
How to Seek Help
If you or someone you care about is struggling with overwhelming emotions and ADHD, the best place to start is with a mental health professional who understands both conditions. This could be your GP, a qualified counsellor, or a CBT therapist.
A comprehensive evaluation can clarify whether it’s mood dysregulation, depression, or a combination of both—and help build a treatment plan that works.
Living with ADHD can be a challenge, but when coupled with depression a decline in mental health is accelerated. With the right strategies and support, you can manage mood dysregulation, treat depression, and take steps toward a healthier, more balanced life.
Comentários