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
People with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) sometimes notice that their dreams are unusually vivid, easier to remember, or more disruptive to sleep. Others may have difficulty falling asleep, wake repeatedly during the night, or feel unrefreshed in the morning. These experiences can overlap, but vivid dreams are not a defining symptom of ADHD, and not everyone … Read more
Anxiety and depression are different mental health conditions, but they often appear together. Both can affect concentration, sleep, energy, relationships, and the ability to manage everyday responsibilities. When attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is also present, the combination can feel especially difficult because symptoms may overlap and reinforce one another. Understanding overlapping mental health conditions … Read more
ADHD and autism can look similar on the surface, especially when a person has difficulty following instructions, managing emotions, focusing, or getting along with peers. However, they involve different core developmental patterns. Understanding those patterns can help families, educators, and clinicians look beyond individual behaviors and identify the support a person actually needs. Comparing ADHD … Read more
Seeking an ADHD evaluation can be complicated, particularly when attention, behavior, learning, mood, or sleep concerns overlap. The Duke ADHD Clinic is described as a resource for children, adolescents, and adults who need a careful assessment and an individualized plan for managing ADHD and related challenges. The Duke ADHD Clinic also discusses co-occurring ADHD conditions … Read more
When a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) appears to be behind peers, families may wonder whether ADHD has caused a developmental delay. The answer is not always straightforward. ADHD can interfere with practice, learning, task completion, and emotional regulation, but it does not automatically mean that a child has a delay in speech, motor skills, … Read more
People often ask about the “opposite of ADHD” when they are trying to understand different ways attention, activity, and self-control can appear. The short answer is that there is no single diagnosis that directly reverses attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Understanding related mental health conditions can clarify how ADHD differs from attention patterns associated with other diagnoses. … Read more
