| > I have a friend that's convinced that her ADHD 'causes depression' because her brain does not produce 'enough dopamine' Interesting, and she is somewhat right, but is wrong about the 'enough dopamine' part, if I understand correctly. I have heard that dopamine plays a role in ADHD (seems likely our neurotransmitters don't absorb enough, but even that is an overly simplistic explanation of the unknown and true reality). But yea, I also have ADHD and yes, it can cause depression. Not due to dopamine, but because of the negative feedback-loop ADHD can create. For example, let's pretend I have some big assignment I need to complete, and I am without access treatment (professional or self-medication). If can't muster the "powers" to work on/finish said assignment, I start to get extremely anxious and/or I get depressed that I failed to finish said assignment. Said anxiety/depression only makes my ADHD symptoms worse which makes the anxiety/depression worse. Thus I will struggle more to complete future work, which only fuels said anxiety/depression even more, and the loop keeps on iterating. Though, sometimes the anxiety can be extremely helpful. I can muster some insane kind of hyperfocus due to the pressure of a looming deadline. I spent decades of my life relying on anxiety to complete tasks, that even with treatment, it's extremely hard to start and finish tasks without the anxiety. It's an annoying and rough way to live, but oh well, I am just grateful I do not have something worse. |