ADHD’s Sneaky Sidekicks: Why Comorbidities Could Be Hijacking Your Kid’s Brain
Picture this: your brain is a bustling train station, thoughts zipping by like locomotives on espresso. For folks with ADHD, that’s daily life—except some of those trains are carrying unexpected passengers like depression, anxiety, or even a rogue tic or two. In a lively podcast episode timed for Mental Health Awareness Month, ADHD advocate Jessica and clinical psychologist Dr. Patrick LeCount dive into the tangled web of ADHD comorbidities, revealing why these tag-along conditions deserve the spotlight. With wit, warmth, and a hefty dose of research, they unpack how these overlapping challenges can amplify ADHD struggles—and what parents can do to steer their kids toward thriving adulthood. Spoiler alert: it’s not about fixing a “broken” brain; it’s about understanding the whole, wild, wonderful ride.
The Comorbidity Conundrum: More Common Than You Think
Jessica kicks off with a confession: she’s not just an ADHD poster child—she’s collected diagnoses like Pokémon cards, from mild OCD to generalized anxiety disorder and motor tics. Dr. LeCount, ever the cautious researcher, drops a bombshell from the MTA study: only about 30% of ADHD folks fly solo—70% have at least one co-occurring condition. Think depression, anxiety, autism, or even oppositional defiance. Why does this matter? Because if you’re only treating the ADHD, you’re missing half the train wreck. As Jessica puts it, “If we don’t address these other things, they can derail our ADHD management.” Parents, take note: your child’s distractibility might not just be hyperactivity—it could be anxiety waving a red flag.
When ADHD Meets Its Match: Anxiety, Trauma, and More
The chat takes a nerdy turn with questions from the audience—think polyvagal theory and executive overload (yes, we’re geeking out). Dr. LeCount highlights how anxiety often rides shotgun with ADHD, with generalized anxiety disorder topping the charts. Ever wonder why your kid can’t sleep? It’s not just the ADHD brain seeking stimulation—it could be worry keeping the lights on. Then there’s trauma, a curveball Jessica bravely shares. After her mom’s devastating car accident, her ADHD symptoms spiked. Dr. LeCount explains: trauma doesn’t just pile on; it can amplify ADHD, making focus feel like chasing a greased pig. The takeaway? History matters. Parents need to dig into the “before” to untangle the “now.”
Author Quote“
If we don’t address these other things, they can derail our ADHD management
”
Parenting the Whole Child: Scaffolding for Success
Cue Carla, a mom of 16-year-old twins—one with ADHD, depression, and anxiety; the other with ADD, OCD, and hypermobility. She’s desperate to prep them for adulthood. Dr. LeCount channels his inner scaffolding guru, inspired by researcher Margaret Sibley: support now, fade later. It’s not about hovering like a helicopter or abandoning ship—it’s collaboration. Jessica reflects on her own crash-and-burn college days when her mom’s help vanished overnight. “I fell apart because no one taught me how to do it myself,” she admits. The fix? Start where your kid is—maybe it’s setting alarms together—then step back as they master it. Oh, and let them mess up now, while the stakes are low. A missed homework deadline beats a missed rent payment any day.
Key Takeaways:
1
Comorbidities are common: 70% of ADHD folks have at least one co-occurring condition like anxiety or depression.
2
History is key: Trauma or other issues can amplify ADHD—parents must look back to move forward.
3
Brains can change: Neuroplasticity means growth is possible with challenge and support.
Busting the Fixed-Brain Myth: Growth Is Possible
Here’s where I, Laura Lurns, get fired up. Too many parents (and kids!) buy into the lie that ADHD—or its buddies like OCD or depression—is a life sentence. Wrong! Brains are like Play-Doh, not stone. Neuroplasticity says they can reshape with challenge and effort. Want proof? Check out the Growth Mindset research—nurturing this belief can transform how kids tackle obstacles. Dr. LeCount nods to mindfulness and exercise—both proven to boost ADHD symptoms by juicing up dopamine and norepinephrine. Jessica’s swim-team days? A sensory-soothing jackpot. So, when your kid’s stuck, don’t shrug and say, “That’s just how they are.” Push them to stretch, grow, and rewire. A growth mindset isn’t fluffy nonsense—it’s neuroscience with a side of grit.
Author Quote“
Comorbidity is more often the rule than the exception.
”
Responsibility Wins
Let’s name the villain: neglect masquerading as acceptance. Ignoring comorbidities or coddling kids past their due date sets them up for a rocky adulthood. Jessica’s story screams it—untreated trauma turbocharged her ADHD, and over-support left her floundering later. Parents, you’re the first teachers. Step up with empathy, sure, but also with structure. Collaborate, scaffold, and challenge that brain to change. The payoff? Kids who don’t just survive but soar—because you saw the whole picture, not just the ADHD train. Responsibility isn’t a burden; it’s the ticket to freedom. Ready to sharpen your parenting game? Dive into resources like Focus to keep your kid’s train on track.
