Disorders like nervousness and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are not the same thing. But sometimes they happen at the same time, and a study^[1*] has found a strong link between them. The anxious and Depression Association of America (ADAA) says that in the US, about half ^[2*] of the people with ADHD also have an anxious condition. There is also a link that goes both ways. People with ADHD often have anxiety problems, and there is a good chance that ADHD itself causes worry in those who have it.

A lot of the time, ADHD starts in youth. People with ADHD may squirm, have short attention spans, act impulsively, be energetic, and be restless, among other symptoms. ADHD can last into adulthood, and people with it also have to deal with other problems every day, like not paying attention when they study, missing work tasks and thinking about it, and feeling stressed and anxious all the time.

The exact reasons why ADHD and anxiety illnesses often happen together have not been figured out by researchers. Some of the things that can cause ADHD, like being born too early, genetics, and chemicals in the surroundings, might also play a part in that. In this post, we talk about how these conditions are related, what their common and unique signs are, and how to treat them.

Can ADHD make you anxious?

When someone has both ADHD and anxiety, it can be hard to tell them apart because they both have some of the same signs. Some of the symptoms that people with either condition may share are having trouble relaxing, focusing, and paying attention, even though the root reasons of these symptoms may be different.

It is very important to learn about both diseases and get a correct evaluation. It is also very important to learn how they are linked.

ADHD changes the way the brain works, so an adult with ADHD may have a worsening of an anxiety problem. People with ADHD and worry often have trouble making enough serotonin and dopamine in their brains on a regular basis. Their amounts of serotonin and dopamine are often too low or too high, which can cause:

Some ADHD medicines, especially stimulant medicines like amphetamines (Adderall), may also cause anxiety or make anxiety symptoms worse. If a person’s nervousness doesn’t go away, their doctor may switch them to non-stimulant drugs like viloxazine (Qelbree).

Signs of ADHD that can make anxiety disorders worse

Now that we know there is a link between ADHD and anxiety disorders in adults, people who have ADHD may be wondering if their anxiety is getting worse. In other words, it is possible.

For example, people may feel stressed, antsy, have memory problems, or have trouble focusing, all of which can make their anxiety worse. People with ADHD may also find it hard to make important or tough choices, which can make them feel more anxious. Also, perfectionists with ADHD may become anxious if their ADHD keeps them from meeting their standards. Another thing that ADHD does is affect the part of the brain that controls emotions, which could make the person feel worry.

Managing ADHD in a variety of ways, such as through thorough planning, setting chores, getting rid of distractions, and living a healthy life, is the best way to lessen these symptoms.

ADHD and anxiety have some things in common.

There are some physical and mental signs that are similar between ADHD and worry. Some of these are:

Still, people who have ADHD or anxiety should know that these are two different illnesses with different symptoms, even though they share some signs. So, you need to keep an eye on your condition and get professional help for the right way to treat it.

How to Take Care of Anxiety and ADHD

It’s hard to treat people who have both ADHD and anxiety because ADHD medicine can make anxiety symptoms worse. Often, doctors use new methods to treat multiple problems at the same time and create personalized treatment plans for each patient. Medication, changes to your lifestyle, therapy, and calm techniques are some of the ways that you can get help.

But it might also be good to treat one problem before the other. Treatment should be done in the same order that the illnesses appear. For example, if the patient’s anxiety is caused by their ADHD, treating the ADHD first with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medicines might help. Then, the anxiety signs should be looked at again.

How controlling your emotions can help

Emotional control helps people with social anxiety and ADHD keep their emotions in check when things get tough. It helps these kinds of people stay calm and think clearly when things get stressful. You can get good results from emotional control when you use it with other types of care. Some of its methods are:

In conclusion

Anxiety and ADHD are two different diseases with different signs. But sometimes the signs can happen at the same time. People who have both nervousness and ADHD find it hard to do daily tasks and keep long-term jobs. It might be hard for them to focus on daily tasks. To improve their quality of life, they should get the right medicine.

The good news is that both situations are very easy to deal with. People should talk to mental health workers to help them tell the difference between the conditions and come up with a good treatment plan.