Technical detail
Why recovery can involve more than lifting mood
ADHD can add repeated sources of stress
ADHD and depression can share vulnerabilities, while recurring problems at work, at home or in relationships may add to depressive symptoms. That does not make depression simply an attitude towards having ADHD.
For your own treatment, the distinction matters: a mood treatment may help you feel less hopeless while you still need support with the unfinished responsibilities that keep recreating stress.
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Loss of reward and difficulty initiating are not the same
Depression can reduce pleasure and interest; ADHD can make it difficult to start or sustain an action even when you want its outcome. When both are present, an activity may offer less immediate reward and take more effort to organise.
Behavioural activation addresses reduced activity and avoidance. ADHD adaptations help make the planned activity happen. For example, arranging to meet someone removes some of the repeated decisions involved in going out alone. Recovery can require both the activity and support with its execution.
Treatment not used is different from treatment not effective
A therapy exercise relies on taking in the explanation, retaining it and carrying it out outside the session. Difficulties at any of these stages can reduce the amount of treatment you actually receive, even if you attend every appointment.
Before calling an approach ineffective, ask to review how it worked in everyday life. A shorter exercise or in-session practice may help establish that. If symptoms persist despite an accessible, adequately tried treatment, the treatment itself also needs review—not just another reminder.
Measure recovery in more than one way
Being less distractible and regaining enjoyment are different improvements. At review, describe both your mood and what you can now do. NICE supports adapting depression therapy for neurodevelopmental needs; this is not a rule that ADHD must always be treated before depression.