ADD, ADHD, Depression

ADHD and ADD can have depression as a comorbid Diagnosis.  If ADD has gone undiagnosed for a number of years depression may result in part due to the frustrations being unable to complete tasks, or stay in the same job long enough to get good at it.  Many of the symptoms of depression are similar to those of ADD.  It is not uncommon for one or the other to be misdiagnosed and give the wrong treatment. 

The other scenerio is that both conditions exist in a patient and both need to be addressed in order to have a successful course of treatment. 

I found an interesting article called "Six surprising signs of depresssion"

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/staywellforfall/6-surprising-signs-of-depression-2397387/?pg=33

• by Liz Brody, Editor Shine Staff, on Wed Oct 6, 2010 10:19am PDT
• Fester Whipple, author

1. Achy joints and other unexplained pain

2. Gut reaction

3. Diving into work

4. Interviewing, but not getting the job

5. Paranoid thoughts
.6. Not being in the mood


Here is a great book that can help anyone with ADD and/or Depression.  It talks of way you can help yourself feel better.  It does not chastise the use of medication or therapy but makes suggestions that can work with your medication and treatment program.  There is evidence in research that these 6 steps can work as well as certain medications but I would caution anyone that there are times when medication is needed and extremely important.  Self-help takes a lot of motivation and determination and these things are often complete out of reach of a severely depressed person.  Therefore, it is critical for them to use medication properly and work toward helping themselves more gradually.  There is no shame in taking medication regardless of what popular opinion is and the opposite could be true.  It could be more shameful to not get help in the form of medication because of hubris or stubbornness.  You owe it to your self and your family to explore all options to get back to your normal state. 
Go to The Depression Cure: The 6-Step Program to Beat Depression without Drugs

I found this book to be very helpful and thought provoking.  It may be of use to you as well.