If you have been treated for anxiety or depression and it never quite helped, ADHD may be part of the picture. Anxiety and depression are among the most common conditions alongside ADHD, and many adults with ADHD are also autistic. ADHD is often missed when anxiety or depression are treated first.
1/4 Anxiety
If you have taken antidepressants for years and they help a bit but never enough, ask about ADHD. Anxiety can build up after years of missed deadlines, last-minute panics and not knowing why simple tasks feel so hard.
2/4 Depression
Years of falling short, breaking promises to yourself and feeling ashamed can lead to depression. If your mood lifts when you have a deadline and drops when life goes quiet, that pattern is common with ADHD.
3/4 Autism (AuDHD)
You might need routine and get bored of it, hate change and crave new things, or want company and find it draining. This mix is known as AuDHD. If you think you have both, ask for an assessment that covers both.
4/4 Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia
These often come with ADHD. If reading, writing, balance or numbers have always been much harder for you than for others, ask about a Specific Learning Difficulty assessment. Students can get this paid for through DSA.
When another difficulty may be hiding ADHD. Treating the anxiety or depression while the underlying ADHD is missed. If years of therapy and antidepressants have not helped, tell your GP. It is a reason to consider ADHD.
This page provides general information and is not medical advice. Speak to a qualified clinician or prescriber about diagnosis, treatment or medication changes. Last checked September 2026.