Anxiety Disorders

Understanding the Link Between ADHD and Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with ADHD, often exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals. This combination can result from the constant stress of managing ADHD symptoms, such as forgetfulness or impulsivity, leading to heightened anxiety. Symptoms like persistent worry, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating are common in both conditions, making it crucial to differentiate and address each appropriately. Managing this overlap involves therapeutic strategies, possibly medication, and lifestyle changes aimed at reducing anxiety triggers. Recognizing and treating both ADHD and anxiety disorders concurrently is essential for improving overall mental health and quality of life.

Published on
27/10/2022
Updated on
24/11/2023
estimated reading time
minutes

Written by

Alice

The mini Adhd coach

Reviewed by

In this Article

Reviewed by

A word form our expert

What are Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety is the most common mental illness. It affects more than 30% of adults at some period of their time. Treating it allows many individuals to continue to have normal productive lives. Anxiety is a normal stress response and can alert us about danger and help us focus and prepare for situations of concern. But too much anxiety can be a disorder and is treatable. Several effective treatments exist to treat people with anxiety disorders.

Types of Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder is a persistent excess of worries and tensions that interfere with daily life. Panic disorders are an overwhelming combination that involves mental and physical problems. Signs include restlessness and muscle tension which often leads to trouble sleeping. A specific phobia is an overly strong and persistent threat to a specific item, situation or activity which is generally not hazardous. Separation anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive fear of separation. People with this disorder will try to avoid or endure this situation with great anxiety. Social anxiety disorder (previously known as social phobia) causes discomfort when people feel embarrassed or dismissed.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

GAD produces constant and exaggerated concern for the everyday world. This anxiety can consume many hours – making it much harder to concentrate daily activities. A person with GAD may get fatigued by worrying and suffer headaches or digestive problems. General anxiety disorder also contributes to depression and is often described as a state of constant tension.

What are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder?

Symptoms range depending upon the severity of an anxiety disorder. General symptoms of an anxiety disorder include physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms. There are also specific phobias that can trigger chronic anxiety and make the person feel uncomfortable and out of focus.

What are phobias?

Phobias are fear of certain items and situations. Some of these reasons might seem reasonable such as the fear of snakes - but often the level of fear isn't quite the answer. Like any anxiety disorder, you have to spend some time getting rid of any of those things. Some specific phobias are being afraid of another object or situation.

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Diagnosis of Anxiety Disorder

If you have signs and symptoms, your doctor may want to ask you specific questions. The doctor may also use a health assessment if he suspects other mental health conditions that could trigger your symptoms. Sometimes, doctors will not know what causes a problem. Sometimes they send you on your way to the psychiatrist. When diagnosing, your doctors may ask how long you have been experiencing panic attacks. If you can't do things right and have it in a stressful environment, let your doctor know.

Risk Factors for Anxiety Disorder

Some things can also increase your risk of developing anxiety symptoms. Some risk factors of anxiety disorders are :

- family history of mental health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, or panic attack

-stressful traumatic events, such as a death in the family or a divorce. Other risk factors include unemployment and other mental illnesses. Drinking too much caffeine can also cause anxiety symptoms worse when combined with strong emotions like anger, stress, fear, etc. Women are more likely to have this disorder than men.

What Causes Anxiety?

Multiple factors contribute to the overactive "fight and take" symptoms of an anxiety disorder. Those with ADHD or other anxiety disorders tend to have them too. Growing up in a family where others are afraid or anxious can also help them understand fear as well. Losing a loved one to severe illness can make someone experience separation anxiety while abuse can cause some kids to get nervous and experience panic attacks when triggered. Brain chemistry determines how brain chemicals work, and if brain chemistry is not functioning efficiently, it can cause anxiety. Life experiences can be stressful and difficult.

Not All Anxiety is a Disorder

Some people experience intense panic disorder and persistent occasional anxiety that becomes chronic and distressing until it interferes with their everyday lives. Sometimes there seem to be no evident reasons and logical reasons for people feeling this way. The anxiety disorder may make the sufferer even more stressed and feel intense fear which can lead to a panic attack. And even though there are no apparent reasons for anxiety, the sufferer felt more anxious than they would otherwise.

Anxiety Disorders: Feeling restless

Anxiety Treatment and Therapies

Anxiety diseases can usually be managed with psychotherapy medication or anti-anxiety medications. People are advised to check with their doctor to know what treatment suits them. Untreated anxiety disorders may lead to a more serious illness if not addressed with the right treatment plan.

What is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders that cause people to feel anxious or afraid most days with extreme, irrational feelings and thoughts about certain situations, objects or events such as flying in planes, public speaking, and getting into arguments.

There are several types of anxiety disorders including: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic disorder, Social anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Separation Anxiety Disorder.

Is Anxiety a Mental Health Condition?

Yes, excessive anxiety is a mental health condition.

What Causes Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety can be caused by a multitude of factors like genetics, stress, extreme fear, excessive worry, personality types, trauma, racism, sex, gender dysphoria, life events, and medication.

What are Some Common Symptoms of Anxiety?

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms include rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, lightheadedness, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath.

What is the Most Common Anxiety Disorder?

The most common anxiety disorder is Generalized Anxiety Disorder or GAD. It affects roughly three percent of the population and about twice as many women as men are affected by it. It is not the only one though, there are other anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder that can make a person feel intense fear and have panic attacks.

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Anxiety can make you feel physical symptoms like you’re having a heart attack, feeling short of breath, and just not being able to think clearly in general. It is an overwhelming sensation that makes it hard to focus on anything else but the anxiety itself.

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Anxiety Disorders: FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can an anxiety disorder be cured?

Anxiety is not curable per se, it is something you may or may not feel but you can have control over it through stress management. The short answer is that anxiety treatment begins with getting the right treatment plan for your condition. Getting the correct treatment for anxiety will assist you in dialing back your out-of-control thoughts so that you can live your life again.

What can I do about anxiety?

Numerous treatments for anxiety disorders exist including anti-anxiety medications and therapy (e.g talk therapy, exposure therapy) with a mental health professional. However, there are also several self-help techniques you can try on to cure anxiety disorders when they occur such as breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness. There are also support groups available where you can join and share your own experiences to help others how to manage stress.

What is the best treatment for anxiety?

The most effective treatments for anxiety are anti-anxiety medication (SSRIs) combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). People usually find that a combination of both CBT in individual or group settings along with a daily regimen of an SSRI helps them feel more in control over their anxiety.‍

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