Are Mood Disorders Masking ADHD Underdiagnosis?

PostedOctober 8, 2025

UpdatedOctober 8, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Yes, mood disorders and ADHD are often significant factors in ADHD underdiagnosis. Conditions like bipolar disorder and depression can share overlapping symptoms with ADHD, making it difficult for clinicians to accurately diagnose ADHD, especially when mood issues are more prominent. This phenomenon, known as diagnostic overshadowing, occurs when the focus on one condition, such as a mood disorder, causes other possible diagnoses, like ADHD, to be overlooked.

Mood disorders and ADHD can both cause inattention, irritability, and emotional dysregulation, but the underlying causes differ. For example, while ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, mood disorders are primarily emotional and mental health related. When ADHD is masked by symptoms of a mood disorder, it can lead to delayed or missed diagnoses, leaving patients without the right treatment and support.

How Mood Disorders Can Mask ADHD

Here’s why mood disorders can contribute to ADHD underdiagnosis:

Symptom overlap

Both mood disorders and ADHD can cause issues with concentration, restlessness, and emotional control.

Mood symptoms taking priority

Clinicians may focus on the more overt symptoms of mood disorders like mood swings or depressive episodes, overlooking subtle signs of ADHD.

Comorbidity

Many individuals experience both ADHD and a mood disorder, which can complicate diagnosis, leading to a primary focus on the more immediate mood symptoms.

In conclusion, proper diagnosis is crucial to ensuring the right treatment and support for both ADHD and mood disorders.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Overdiagnosis vs. Underdiagnosis in ADHD.

Avery Lombardi, MSc

Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.