ACAMH 专访 Sinead Rhodes 教授：ADHD 与抑郁症为何常共现

On 15 September 2026, ACAMH will host ‘ADHD and Depression‘. We caught up with one of the presenters –Professor Sinead Rhodes, a Professor of Developmental Neuropsychology at the University of Edinburgh with 30 years experience of conducting and publishing research on Neurodevelopmental conditions including ADHD, autism, Dyspraxia/DCD, FASD and Williams syndrome – about the topic itself, her career, and her hopes for the event.

How did you come to specialise in the link between ADHD and depression?

My research has shown that children and young people with ADHD have difficulties in a range of developmental outcomes including cognition, learning, and relationships. These difficulties can contribute to poor well-being and this drew my interest in the development of depression in young people with ADHD.

ADHD and depression are often thought of as separate conditions — why do they co-occur so often in young people?

ADHD is associated with a range of cognitive, social and psychological difficulties that contribute to a higher risk of developing mental health difficulties including depression. Young people show these difficulties from early in childhood and they make living in what feels like a neurotypical world very challenging.

How does understanding these mechanisms change the way clinicians should assess or treat co-occurring ADHD and depression?

Research shows that children with ADHD show difficulties in multiple areas of functioning from early in development including cognition, learning, and relationships. These difficulties raise their risk of developing mental health difficulties like depression. Girls are particularly at risk. Depression is often seen from childhood in this population. Clinicians should be mindful of and screen for mental health difficulties from early in development in those with suspected or diagnosed ADHD.

Another point: Many symptoms of depression are also characteristics of ADHD such as fidgeting, difficulties with schoolwork, concentration. Measures of depression have been created with the neurotypical population making screening and assessment difficult. Clinicians should focus on change in symptoms over time to avoid these confounds.

Where is the evidence base still limited, and what does the future of research or treatment in this area look like?

Much more research is needed with girls with ADHD in relation to mental health. Research on factors like masking that contributes to this heightened risk is much needed. Traditionally, masking has been examined in autistic populations but there is now evidence that, children with ADHD, especially girls, engage in masking.

Who do you hope will attend the session, and what’s the one key takeaway you want them to leave with?

Understanding depression in ADHD is relevant for many different types of clinicians including those for example working in general practice. Clinicians with expertise in mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions, practitioners and GPs would benefit from the session.

Key takeaway: Depression is common in those with ADHD, can present earlier than expected, and particularly impacts girls.

Where next?

Join our webinar ‘ADHD and Depression’. Join this ACAMH Expert Half-Day exploring the increasingly recognised link between ADHD and depression in children and young people. As demand on services grows and presentations become more complex, understanding how these conditions interact is becoming ever more important. Includes talks from Professor Sinead Rhodes, Dr. Olga Eyre, and Dr. Ramya Srinivasan.

The post Meet the expert on ADHD and Depression – Prof. Sinead Rhodes appeared first on ACAMH.