Atypical depression is a pattern of major depressive disorder that can look different from the stereotypical picture of depression. A person may sleep for long periods, eat more than usual, gain weight, and still experience temporary improvements in mood when something positive happens. These features can be overlooked, especially when attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, substance … Read more
Rejection sensitive dysphoria, usually shortened to RSD, describes an unusually intense emotional response to rejection, criticism, perceived failure, or the possibility of being judged. The reaction may involve shame, humiliation, sadness, anger, or a strong desire to withdraw. Even when the triggering event seems minor to someone else, the emotional pain can feel immediate and … Read more
Does ADHD make you lazy? No. ADHD does not reflect a lack of character, effort, or caring. However, difficulties with attention, motivation, and executive function can sometimes look like laziness to other people—and even to the person experiencing them. Someone with ADHD may intend to complete an assignment, answer a message, clean the house, or … Read more
When a child has trouble paying attention and also argues, refuses requests, or reacts angrily to adults, families may wonder whether these behaviors are connected. Searches for “ADD ADHD ODD” often reflect this question. ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) can occur together, but they describe different patterns of behavior. Understanding the distinction can help … Read more
Sleep timing can strongly affect attention, mood, memory, and emotional regulation. For some people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the main difficulty is not simply poor sleep hygiene or an inability to relax at night. Their internal sleep-wake timing may be shifted later than the schedule required by school, work, or family life. This pattern is … Read more
Many people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describe experiencing emotions, sensory input, or social situations more intensely than they seem to for others. This pattern is often called ADHD sensitivity. It is not a separate formal diagnosis, but it can affect concentration, relationships, work, school, and everyday routines. Sensitivity does not look the same for everyone. … Read more
Social anxiety disorder and depression can occur together, and the combination may be especially difficult to recognize when a person also has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Problems with attention, impulsivity, organization, or social timing can lead to misunderstandings and repeated setbacks. Over time, anxiety about being judged may encourage avoidance, while isolation and discouragement can contribute … Read more
When someone struggles with attention, social interaction, routines, or sensory experiences, it can be difficult to know whether ADHD, autism, or both better explain what is happening. The term “Asperger syndrome” is still used by many people, although clinicians now generally describe this profile as part of autism spectrum disorder. The most useful goal is … Read more
Chronic depression syndrome is a long-lasting pattern of low mood and reduced functioning. It is commonly associated with persistent depressive disorder, the DSM-5 diagnosis that includes what was formerly called dysthymia. Unlike a major depressive episode, which may be intense but occurs over a more limited period, persistent depressive disorder can remain in the background … Read more
Sleep and ADHD can affect each other in both directions. Some people with ADHD struggle to fall asleep, wake frequently, or find it difficult to get up in the morning. Others sleep for long periods yet still feel tired or unrefreshed. In turn, insufficient or disrupted sleep can intensify inattention, impulsivity, irritability, and difficulty managing … Read more
