In my work as a therapist, people will often call me looking for help with anxiety and depression.  When we dig a bit deeper, they will sometimes tell me that they went to their doctor about this, and they were put on anti-anxiety and anti-depression drugs.  This is, after all, the standard of care.  The new client will sometimes tell me that they do feel less depressed and less anxious, but now they just sit around on the couch, unable to move with nothing but their thoughts to keep them company…and often they don’t make for great company!

When I hear this, my experience has taught me to look a little deeper.  Immobility is not the outcome that we should be looking for from any psychiatric drug therapy.  What we want is better functioning not less.  Could the two drugs be just medicating symptoms and not the actual cause?  Well, of course, this is a possibility, so what we need is to get to the root of the issue.

In many of these clients, after some further assessment, it’s discovered that they have undiagnosed or untreated ADHD or ADD.  How does this present in a person’s life?

Common Signs of Undiagnosed Adult ADHD

• Chronic procrastination or disorganization
• Difficulty sustaining attention (even on things you enjoy)
• Frequently feeling mentally “scattered” or overwhelmed
• Poor time management
• Restlessness or emotional impulsivity

At its core, people with ADHD or ADD have a problem starting, doing or finishing things, and it is easy to see how this could lead to frustration, anxiety and even depression.  Treating the symptoms does not get to the core reasons that a client feels these ways, but luckily there are other strategies available.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with ADHD or ADD, here are some suggestions:

Daily Functioning Tips

• Use external structure: calendars, visual timers, and alarms
• Break tasks into micro-steps: tackle “start the laundry” instead of “clean the house”
• Body-doubling: Work alongside a friend or coworker (even virtually) to increase focus
• Seek professional assessment if symptoms impact your relationships, job, or well-being
• Drug Therapies: These are a last resort, but many patients see great results from stimulant medications.

ADHD isn’t a character flaw—it’s simply a different way of processing the world. With the right tools, support, and self-compassion, adult ADHD or ADD can become something you manage, not something that defines you.