Can You Treat ADHD and Depression at the Same Time? (with Karen L. Swartz, M.D.)

Q&A With Dr. Karen Swartz on ADHD and Depression in Teens This clip is from the free ADDitude webinar: "A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Depression in Teens". Watch the full webinar with Karen L. Swartz, M.D., at
www.additudemag.com/webinar/d...
Related Resources
1. Download: A Parent’s Guide to Major Depressive Disorder
www.additudemag.com/download/...
2. Read: AAP Recommends Mental Health Screening for All U.S. Youth
www.additudemag.com/mental-he...
3. Read: Is My Child’s Distress Normal? Or Do We Need Help
www.additudemag.com/distress-...
4. eBook: Raising Teens with ADHD
www.additudemag.com/product/a...
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[@leilap2495]

I started with ADHD treatment. After a few months, we were better able to parse out my depression from the ADHD. The ADHD was causing me way more distress, so I’m glad I did it that way. I am also very sensitive to the majority of antidepressants due to genetic differences in how my liver metabolizes them and comorbid autism. In addition, I find that antidepressants worsen my ADHD symptoms.

[@user-Aaron-]

Thanks for sharing. Would you mind elaborating on how antidepressants worsen your ADHD symptoms?

[@leilap2495]

@@user-Aaron- Sure. Unfortunately in my case, I think it is exaggerated by many years living undiagnosed. One of my ADHD coping mechanisms was to become hyper-vigilant to not get in trouble, repeat words in my head as I moved between rooms just to remember what I was doing, use many loud alarms, and generally worry about everything that I struggled with. All of those terrible things were what got my anxiety high enough to get work done and survive driving. I somehow managed to be an above average student and went to college. It was extremely difficult to do this without diagnosis or treatment. Recently my son’s teacher mentioned that she was pleased to see him become more vigilant to not miss directions in class. I on the contrary find that very alarming. The ADHD stimulant and antidepressant are both very relaxing for me, however the antidepressant acts on norepinephrine and serotonin, not on dopamine. This sentence is a more concise reason: The dopamine agonist action of stimulants is what makes stimulant medication so effective first-line treatments for ADHD. A medication that acts on serotonin, on the other hand, can make someone think less clearly. An antidepressant can make me feel less worried, but it can’t make me more capable. That on its own can be depressing. We are of course all unique, so another person’s experience may be very different from mine.

[@user-Aaron-]

@@leilap2495 Thanks for sharing, I appreciate it!

[@cpnmisfit]

Got diagnosed with ADHD and depression as an adult. I started out on Concerta and Citalopram. Once on the meds for awhile, my doc cut the Citalopram to see if the controlling the ADHD would fix the depression. The trial didn't end up so well and I went back on both meds. A few years later my antidepressant was switched to Zoloft ( the Citalopram was causing some compulsive behaviors.) After being on the Zoloft for awhile, I was able to lower my Concerta dosage.

[@JustDisc]

I got diagnosed with adhd, took medication, then got on an anxiety and pressure med. The end goal never seemed clear with my psychiatrist, and I still wasn’t 100%. Yet, I still kept getting pushed to try different meds. Years later, got diagnosed with sleep apnea and now have extreme clarity. Im not longer taking medication for anxiety/depression. Therefore, before taking medication, be sure to check your sleep!!! It gets missed way too often