Children, teens, and even adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly develop one or more overlapping conditions. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep
- Personality disorders
- Other learning disabilities
- Substance abuse issues
The stress of coping with these additional ADHD-related disorders can complicate school, social ties, and family life. It can also seriously affect the quality of day-to-day living.
How ADHD is linked to other health conditions
A brain development condition that often starts in childhood, ADHD can cause:
- Inattentiveness, or an inability to concentrate
- Hyperactivity, or restlessness/trouble staying still
- Impulsivity, or acting before thinking
It's not clear if ADHD itself triggers the development of related conditions, or if they develop on their own due to other causes. It may depend on the condition.
Even more confusing, the symptoms of certain conditions can closely mimic the symptoms of ADHD. For example, both ADHD and anxiety can lead to excess worry and fatigue. As a result, anxiety can be present but may not be diagnosed. Or it may be misdiagnosed as something else.
But getting an accurate diagnosis for an ADHD-related condition is critical. Not only can it help explain certain symptoms, it’s the first step in getting the right treatment. Since the process can be tricky, make sure to seek out a mental health professional with experience in ADHD.
Once the diagnosis is made, it’s important to receive treatment for both ADHD and the related condition. Why? If one issue is treated, but not the other, neither may improve. For example, untreated depression can severely hamper ADHD treatment, and vice versa.
Common ADHD-related disorders
Here are some of the most common ADHD-related disorders and their symptoms:
Anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety can vary from person to person, but often include feeling uncomfortably worried, tired, or breathless; having a hard time relaxing and sleeping; and experiencing muscle tension and/or headaches.
Depression. Depression is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and a lack of interest in things formerly enjoyed. It may also include feeling withdrawn, worthless, hopeless, empty, and/or fatigued.
Conduct disorder (CD). This serious behavioral disorder usually begins in childhood or adolescence. If left untreated, it may lead to substance abuse and antisocial disorder in teens and adults. CD is characterized by juvenile delinquency and aggressiveness toward peers—teasing, bullying, fighting, stealing, and lying—without any feelings of remorse. Seek immediate treatment if your child or teen is exhibiting any of these symptoms.
Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Children and teens with ODD may be angry, resentful, negative, argumentative, and/or impulsive. They can have quick tempers and may blame others for their own mistakes, refuse to obey rules, and fight often with adults.
Learning disabilities. Between 20 and 50 percent of kids with ADHD have additional learning disabilities, including reading and language disorders such as dyslexia. Nonverbal learning issues, like those related to math or spatial learning, may also develop in kids and adults with ADHD.
Tourette syndrome. Less common than other ADHD-related conditions, Tourette syndrome is characterized by uncontrollable twitches, tics, vocalizations, and facial expressions.
Substance abuse. Teens and adults with ADHD have greater rates of drug and alcohol abuse than people without ADHD. Occasionally, that may also include abuse of the stimulant medications commonly prescribed for ADHD. Many experts believe it’s due to an underlying issue that remains unclear, rather than the ADHD drugs themselves.
Sleep disorders. Some but not all people with ADHD—no matter their age—may develop sleep problems, including sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and interrupted or poor sleep quality.
If you suspect you or your child may have another disorder in addition to ADHD, talk with a healthcare provider (HCP) or psychiatrist.
