Note: I am not a doctor. This post is meant to be a springboard to start your research. All the sources are at the bottom, and I highly recommend reading the ADDitude ones.
ADHD affects every single aspect of our lives. It affects our ability to focus, our memory, our social skills, our relationships, our emotions, and much more. These issues can all be debilitating by themselves but there is an aspect of having ADHD that’s not as talked about: ADHDers are incredibly likely to have comorbid conditions.
Comorbidity is when two or more condition occurs in the same person. Studies have shown that around 60-80% of adults with ADHD have at least one comorbid condition [1]. The most common comorbid conditions for ADHDers are depression (~50%) and anxiety (~30%) [2]. It has also been noted that the prevalence of comorbidities can differ depending on gender, eg, female ADHDers are likelier to have comorbid anxiety than male ADHDers [2].
Comorbid conditions can mimic and even mask each other. When I was younger, I had very severe depression. As I got my depression under control, I noticed my ADHD symptoms were getting more severe. I was confused so I asked my psychiatrist, who confirmed to me that depression can ‘suppress’ ADHD symptoms [3].
Comorbid conditions are separate from ADHD. Just treating the ADHD will not manage the comorbidities, which have to be treated simultaneously with ADHD [4]. As such, recognizing co-morbid conditions can be vitally important for treatment. For example, stimulants can exacerbate certain anxiety issues, which can make them unsuitable for some ADHDers.
[1] Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ. Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. Published 2017 Aug 22. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3
[2] Managing ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults with comorbid anxiety in primary care. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;9(2):129-138.
[3] ADHD Comorbidity: An Overview of Dual Diagnoses, ADHD Editorial Board, https://www.additudemag.com/general-questions-about-comorbid-conditions
[4] When It’s Not Just ADHD: Symptoms of Comorbid Conditions, S. Larry, MD, https://www.additudemag.com/when-its-not-just-adhd/
[5] Kooij JJ, Huss M, Asherson P, et al. Distinguishing comorbidity and successful management of adult ADHD. J Atten Disord 2012; 16(5 Suppl): 3S-19S.
[6] Comorbidities, ADHD Institute, https://adhd-institute.com/burden-of-adhd/epidemiology/comorbidities/