Do you google your symptoms sometimes? Have you found it to be helpful? Or has it only confused you further? It’s not unusual to be a little lost when you google your own symptoms, especially when so many different conditions share similar symptoms. You end up wondering which one you have, or if you have all of them at once. It’s the opposite of helpful.
ADHD, anxiety, and depression share a lot of similar symptoms. If you’ve googled your symptoms before, and you’ve found them to match one or all of these three conditions, you could benefit from a short explanation of how they overlap.
Changes in Habits
It’s common in ADHD, anxiety, and depression to see a change in your habits. You might be having some trouble sleeping. In the case of ADHD, it might be because your mind is full of racing thoughts, and you might not even feel tired by the time you try to sleep. As for anxiety, you might be kept awake by worrying thoughts. For depression, it might be negative thoughts instead that keep you up at night.
Another aspect of your life that might be impacted by these conditions is your eating patterns. ADHD can affect your appetite and your eating patterns, sometimes causing you to forget to have lunch or dinner. If you’re on medication for ADHD, your appetite can be impacted by that.
Anxiety can cause you to either eat less because of stress or, on the other hand, you might end up eating much more than you used to because it’s a gesture that brings you comfort. It works similarly for depression, and in fact, a disruption in eating patterns is actually considered a core symptom of it.
Physical Sensations
Restlessness is a core symptom of ADHD, but you can find it in anxiety and depression, too. With anxiety, in particular, you might feel overwhelmed with nervous energy, and you might find a safe way to release it via fidgeting with jewelry or by pacing around the room. Similarly, experiencing unexplained muscle tension might be a sign of ADHD, anxiety, depression, or all of the above.
Brain Functions
This might be the most confusing part. All three conditions are associated with memory problems, trouble concentrating, and trouble carrying out tasks. Trouble concentrating is a key symptom of ADHD, but you can also find it with depression or anxiety. With the latter in particular, it might be hard to concentrate on anything when your nervous thoughts are so loud and distracting.
As for difficulty carrying out tasks, ADHD, anxiety, and depression can all make you unable to start tasks, especially when they’re difficult to carry out. Anxiety may cause you to procrastinate. Depression might take all your motivation away, and you end up unable to start the task. As for ADHD, it can be a mix of both of these things, or it can be an entirely different reason.
Changes in Mood
Changes in mood are common in all three. Low mood or mood swings can be both features of ADHD and depression, but anxiety may also be responsible for these. As far as ADHD is concerned, this might be due to difficulties managing your own emotions. Similarly, you might find yourself feeling irritable. It’s actually a common symptom of depression, even if it is a lesser-known one.
Telling the Difference
It might be hard to figure out exactly which condition you might be struggling with, and that’s okay. There’s a reason why googling your symptoms isn’t recommended. If you suspect you might be struggling with ADHD, anxiety, or depression, then reach out and make an appointment. We can find out what exactly it is you’re experiencing, and we can help you move forward with the right approach.
Begin Working with A Therapist in Columbus Ohio
Coping with more than one mental health concern can feel physically draining and mentally taxing. Our team would be honored to offer support from our Columbus, OH-based practice and across Ohio. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
- Get in touch with Blue Boat Counseling to set up your first appointment.
- Get connected with a depression therapist you can trust.
- Gain a better understanding of the symptoms you are experiencing
Other Services Offered with Blue Boat Counseling
Our team understands you may experience more than one mental health concern at a time. This is why we are happy to offer support with a variety of mental health services. We are happy to offer mental health services including anxiety therapy, depression therapy, couples therapy, teen and family therapy, and veteran therapy. We also offer online therapy in addition to in-person services as well. Learn more by visiting our blog today.
