The Connection Between Anxiety And ADD: What You Need To Know
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD)*—now replaced by the label attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder—are two common conditions that might significantly impact a person's daily life. Understanding the nature of GAD and ADHD and identifying available treatment options might help those experiencing symptoms and improve quality of life. Acknowledging the possible connection between these two conditions might also be beneficial for better targeting your treatment plan. This article examines the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for both.
*The term ADD is no longer used by mental health professionals and is instead referred to as ADHD in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). There are three specific subtypes of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. What was previously called ADD is now considered the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD. BetterHelp strives to use current terminology to accurately discuss mental health; instead of ADD, “ADHD” (the updated term) will be used instead.
What are anxiety disorders?
Anxiety is a typical emotional response to stress and danger, but it can also become persistent and overwhelming, disrupting daily life. People with anxiety disorders might experience physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shaking, for instance, as well as psychological symptoms such as excessive worry, fear, and panic.
There are several different anxiety disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, including social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder. Potential contributors to the development of anxiety disorders include genetics, environment, and life events.
What is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
On the other hand, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention and behavior. It is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. People with ADHD might have difficulty staying focused, controlling impulses, and managing emotions. In this article, we will be exploring the inattentive presentation of ADHD, which stresses difficulty paying attention as opposed to overactivity. ADHD might be diagnosed in childhood, but its symptoms could persist into adulthood (hence the existence of the term “adult ADHD”).
Can you have an anxiety disorder and ADHD?
Yes. The connection between anxiety and ADHD is complex. It is common for individuals to display symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety. In fact, according to a study published in the journal BMC Psychiatry, anxiety disorders are among the most common comorbid mental health conditions for those with ADHD.
A large body of evidence supports this assertion. In one clinical trial—published in the Journal of Attention Disorders—researchers found that 31% of participants with ADHD also experienced generalized anxiety disorder.
People with ADHD may be more likely to develop anxiety than those without the disorder due to the difficulties they often experience in managing their attention and emotions. This could increase one’s sensitivity to stress, create more stress overall, and trigger maladaptive anxious responses.
The symptoms of ADHD could also mimic those of anxiety, making it challenging to distinguish one condition from the other. For instance, inattention, restlessness, and impulsiveness are common symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety. As a result, many people with ADHD might be misdiagnosed with anxiety or vice versa; you may even hear some people describe themselves as having “anxious ADHD,” as discussed below.
Understanding anxious ADHD
Anxiety and ADHD symptoms can impact an individual’s daily life and well-being in various ways. One framework for understanding ADHD was proposed by Dr. Daniel Amen, a psychiatrist and ADHD expert. According to Dr. Amen, there are seven “types” of ADHD, one of which is anxious ADHD.
For an individual with anxious ADHD, struggles with social situations and the physical effects of anxiety may exacerbate ADHD symptoms like trouble focusing. Those who experience both anxiety and ADHD may be fearful of the worst, become conflict-avoidant (in which the fear of perceived judgment can lead to difficulty resolving disagreements), and be excessively nervous speaking in social situations.
Anxiety symptoms
Anxiety symptoms vary a bit from person to person and disorder to disorder. Still, some common symptoms include excessive worry, fear, and panic as well as physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, sweating, and shaking. People with anxiety might also experience sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Severe anxiety symptoms might include panic attacks, which are sudden, brief, and intense episodes of fear.
ADHD symptoms
The symptoms of ADHD also vary, but primary symptom clusters include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. People with ADHD might have trouble paying attention, following instructions, and completing tasks, for example. They might also be easily distracted and forgetful.
In addition, people with ADHD might have difficulty controlling their emotions and managing stress. Hyperactivity and impulsiveness might manifest as fidgeting, interrupting others, and acting without thinking.
It is essential to note that other conditions might also cause these symptoms. It is best to get a proper evaluation by a mental health professional to make an accurate diagnosis. A mental health professional could also help determine the best course of treatment for you.
Impact of ADHD symptoms on daily life
People with ADHD might face numerous challenges in their daily lives. Difficulty staying focused and controlling impulses could make it challenging to complete tasks, follow instructions, and pay attention in school or work. This could lead to problems in academic or occupational settings and negatively affect a person's performance. In addition, hyperactivity and impulsiveness might cause a person to interrupt others, act without thinking, and have trouble controlling their emotions, which could hurt important relationships.
Impact of anxiety on daily life
The symptoms of anxiety can also impact daily life and well-being. Intense worry, fear, and panic might cause a person to avoid certain activities or situations, for instance, which could limit their ability to engage in work, school, or social activities. Physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat and sweating might be disruptive and interfere with everyday tasks. In addition, anxious feelings could lead to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, which may also affect daily functioning.
Getting the right treatment for anxiety and ADHD
The symptoms of both anxiety and ADHD can be managed with proper treatment. Medication may be used in some cases to manage symptoms, but psychotherapy can also be beneficial in treating both conditions.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that might help people with anxiety and ADHD manage the behavioral aspects of their symptoms—that is, what they do in response to feelings of worry or boredom. This therapy focuses on helping the individual recognize and change disruptive patterns of thought and behavior that cause distress or interfere with their daily life.
Online therapy can help
Those individuals who have severe symptoms of anxiety or ADHD may find it challenging to make it to appointments. These conditions can cause someone to fear social or other situations related to the appointment, such as driving to the office and talking to their therapist, or may interfere with one’s ability to remember their appointments at all.
Online therapy can be a valuable tool for individuals experiencing anxiety and ADHD, since sessions can be taken from home. Individuals with anxiety and ADHD can develop coping strategies and techniques for managing their emotions and reducing stress, thereby improving their overall quality of life, from the comfort and certainty of home. For certain anxiety disorders, the end goal may still be in-person sessions—but online therapy can be a step forward.
Therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment where individuals can work through their experiences and feelings, allowing them to gain insight into their thoughts and behaviors. This can lead to a greater understanding of the sources of their symptoms, which can reduce the impact of anxiety and ADHD on daily life.
Online therapy is also effective
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), research has shown that therapy can be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders and that therapy combined with medication can be even more effective. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) also states that therapy can be beneficial for individuals with ADHD, and other research indicates that online therapy—particularly internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy—can effectively treat anxiety disorders.
Takeaway
How do you focus when anxious?
If you’re feeling anxious and need to focus, it might help to take a break from your task to release excess energy or thoughts first. For example, if you’re trying to focus on a school or work project but are having trouble because you feel anxious, you might take a brisk walk around the block, do some deep breathing exercises, recite your own set of anti-anxiety affirmations, or make a stream-of-consciousness list of what's making you anxious at this moment so you can release these thoughts for long enough to get into the task at hand.
How does anxiety affect attention?
Feelings of anxiety can negatively affect one’s ability to pay attention. This is because the mind is preoccupied with worry about the perceived and/or potential threat, leaving less cognitive capacity and mental energy to focus on the task at hand.
It’s important to note that trouble with attention could also be related to a form of neurodivergence like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is commonly comorbid with anxiety disorders (formerly referred to by some as ‘anxious ADD’). Anxiety disorders tend to impact concentration, as mentioned, and ADHD typically affects it as well.
A diagnosis is typically made through clinical evaluation, though other methods such as spect scans to identify differences in an ‘ADHD brain’ have also been explored in recent years. To treat ADHD and/or anxiety, speak to your doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist for recommendations on a treatment plan that might be right for you. Child and adult ADHD alike can be treated through the use of stimulant medications and/or positive coping strategies and tools for managing symptoms. Any of the seven types of anxiety disorders in adults or children may also be treated through medications and/or therapy.
How does anxiety affect concentration?
Feeling anxious can make it more difficult to concentrate, since your brain is busy paying attention to whatever you may be worried about. If you live with any of the mental health conditions in the category of anxiety disorders, this effect can be even more pronounced.
What are the strategies that can be helpful in helping reduce anxiety about change?
You can experiment with different methods for managing anxiety about change in life to see which work best for you. Examples can include leaning on friends and others in your social life, finding a comfort (such as a TV show or type of music) that stays the same, journaling, and taking care of your health through methods such as eating nutritious foods, avoiding processed foods, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular exercise.
What are some of your methods to relieve stress and anxiety in your life?
Engaging in regular self-care practices could help your body and mind be more resilient to anxiety. These could include eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and finding healthy outlets for your feelings. You could also try practicing mindfulness, journaling, leaning on social support, and speaking with a therapist.
How do you manage your personal stress, anxiety, or depression?
Self-care—such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep—can help you manage stress and the symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Engaging in relaxation exercises, a mindfulness practice, and journaling can also be useful for many people. Leaning on social support and repeating positive affirmations could help too. If you’re having trouble coping with stress or are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, it’s recommended that you seek the support of a mental health professional like a therapist as well.
Why is managing our own stress very important?
Learning to manage your own stress is important because stressful situations will inevitably arise throughout each of our lives. While you can lean on social support in stressful times too, it’s typically helpful to also have your own set of coping mechanisms. Examples include exercising, journaling, meditating, engaging in deep breathing or relaxation exercises, and repeating positive affirmations.
How does stress affect your mental health?
Stress can trigger a variety of symptoms related to mental health, such as irritability, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, and fatigue. Chronic stress or stress that is not healthfully managed can also result in an increased risk of developing a mental health condition. That’s why finding healthy ways to cope with stress, which can include seeking the support of a mental health professional, can be paramount for overall health.
How can stress motivate someone to change their behavior?
Stress can result in difficulties with sleep, concentration, appetite, and other elements of daily functioning. These impairments can motivate someone to make the lifestyle and behavioral changes necessary to reduce or better manage their stress.
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