ADHD and other conditions
ADHD, anxiety and depression
People with ADHD are more likely to develop anxiety and depression. At the same time, concentration problems can also be part of depression. That is why telling the difference is not always easy.
What should you look out for?
Since when?
ADHD has been present since childhood. Anxiety and depression more often start at a particular moment.Always or in periods?
ADHD is permanently present. Anxiety and depression more often come in periods.Concentration
Difficulty concentrating occurs in ADHD and also in depression.Mood
In depression, low mood or no longer feeling like doing anything are at the forefront.
How often they occur together
From American population research among adults with ADHD (Kessler et al., 2006), measured over one year:
- Anxiety
- 47%also had an anxiety disorder.
- Mood
- 38%also had a mood disorder.
What we do, and what we don't
Someone can have ADHD and also struggle with anxiety, low mood or sleep problems. We look at this too in the medical intake. We specialise in ADHD in adults and do not carry out extensive diagnostics for other psychiatric conditions. Other care comes first if there is:
- An active addiction that has not yet been treated or stabilised.
- Another serious psychiatric disorder that is at the forefront.
- Psychotic symptoms.
- Acute suicidality or a crisis situation.
- A suspicion that another psychiatric disorder explains the symptoms better than ADHD.
- A need for broad psychiatric diagnostics for several possible conditions.
Where can you go?
Talk to your GP or the mental health practice nurse at your GP's practice (praktijkondersteuner GGZ). Are you thinking about suicide? Call 113 or 0800-0113 free of charge, or chat via 113.nl. If you are in immediate danger, call 112.
What to do in a crisisQuestions about anxiety and depression
- Anxiety, low mood or sleep problems often occur together with ADHD, and we look at this too in the medical intake. If another condition explains your symptoms better, or if another serious psychiatric disorder is at the forefront, other care comes first. More about the diagnosis
- Then you will receive detailed advice from us and we will refer you back to your GP for further support.
Sources
- Guideline on ADHD in adults (NVvP, Dutch Psychiatric Association) (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- Thuisarts – I have depression (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- CHADD – Co-occurring conditions (Kessler et al., 2006) (opens in a new window)
- Thuisarts – I am thinking about suicide (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
- 113 Suicide Prevention – Phone number 113 now free of charge (in Dutch) (opens in a new window)
Checked in October 2026.
ADHD and other conditions
Read more
- ADHD and autismADHD and autism: a lot of overlap, different causes. Since 2013, both may be diagnosed together. About the differences and where you can go.
- ADHD and addictionWhy ADHD and addiction often go together, what comes first, what ADHD medication does and when you can come to ADHD Medisch Centrum.
- ADHD and traumaAfter a distressing event, you may develop symptoms that resemble ADHD, such as concentration problems and poor sleep. This is how you can tell the difference, and how we look at it in the assessment.
- ADHD and personality problemsADHD and personality problems, such as borderline, can look alike and also occur together. Where they look alike, how the difference is identified and what this means for the assessment.
Still have a question?
Call us on 020 303 34 65 or email info@adhdmc.nl. You can reach us by phone Monday to Saturday, 9.00 – 17.00.