28 Mar If you have ADHD and SSRI’s have been prescribed by your doctor, this is important info
Depression and anxiety are common in people with ADHD, and SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for both. It was striking to hear more than one highly regarded ADHD expert say that over time, SSRIs can worsen cognitive function and make ADHD symptoms worse. (See the resources below.)
Before reading further, it’s important to note two things:
– If SSRIs are helping you, that is fantastic! There is zero shame in taking antidepressants or any other medications for mental health and cognitive challenges.
– This information may or may not apply to you. There are times when SSRIs are very helpful for people with ADHD, and you should never change your treatment without your doctor’s support. Importantly, SSRIs should never be stopped suddenly and should only be stopped under medical supervision.*
The purpose of sharing this information is to make you aware of the possibility that other alternatives may be a better option for some people, so that if you choose to, you can discuss all available options for treating anxiety and depression with your doctor.
In the absence of high-quality research, considering expert opinions and reputable sources is useful. It’s also worth noting that there are a lot of anecdotal reports that support this.
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Whenever a new medication is started, it should be closely monitored to see how effective it is, but this can be tricky when side effects begin some months after starting a medication. And in reality, these ‘medication reviews’ aren’t always performed.
It’s clear that it’s important to keep an eye on both mood and cognition in the months after starting SSRIs. And if you can’t get good ADHD management with evidence-based ADHD medications and you’re taking an SSRI, it may be helpful to explore other alternatives with your doctor.
Remember, ADHD symptoms can be influenced by many factors—hormone changes, food intolerances, other medications—which can make management more complex. Advocating for yourself and being persistent is key to getting good treatment outcomes.
Finally, never stop taking SSRIs or any other medication suddenly or without medical supervision. Just as you start slow and build up gradually, you also need to reduce the dose of SSRIs slowly when stopping.
Resources
In this video, Clinical Professor Rakesh Jain explains at approximately 42 minutes how SSRIs can worsen cognition in people with ADHD.
In this webinar, Dr. Sarah Binder, Vice Chair of CADDRA, states at around 33 minutes 30 seconds that SSRIs often worsen ADHD symptoms over time.
This research study abstract states that SSRIs “often aggravate ADHD symptoms.”
I hope this is helpful. x
*This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always take medications as prescribed.
Updated October 2025
