Co-morbidities are additional pathologies that may affect those with ADHD. The most common are in order of prevalence:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Oppositional Disorders
- Substance Abuse
- Bipolar Disorder
- Tics
What is important to keep in mind is that just because you have ADHD doesn’t mean you will have any of these issues but the possibilities are greatly increased when affected by ADHD.
Also important, if you are struggling with any of these issues or suspect you might be able to get help. You don’t have to suffer needlessly. I am not saying that it is easy to solve any of these issues but there is treatment to either stop the symptoms or make them more manageable.
If you are being treated for ADHD some of the issues you might be having could be more related to the co-morbidity than the actual ADHD. I know it feels like one more thing to have to get checked out, deal with and seek help on but it can make the quality of your life so much better.
I struggled for many years with depression and anxiety. Whether it was because of the ADHD or not, getting help really made a difference in the quality of my life and the quality of life of those around me. Our struggles affect not just ourselves but those around us who care.
Part of the manifestation of my anxiety was compulsive talking. I am still a highly verbal person but the compulsion is no longer always trying to fight it’s way out from inside me. It is been such a difference that my brother thought I was mad at him for a while once things got better. He thought this because he interpreted my less talkativeness as me deliberately giving him the silent treatment.
So your co-morbidities don’t just affect you but those around you. If you are not motivated to seek help to make your quality of life better maybe think about doing it to make the quality of life better for those who surround you in life.