ADHD and Anxiety: What’s the Connection?

Mental Health
Written By Deseray Wilson, LMHC

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Do you have trouble focusing? Are you constantly fidgeting? Do you feel like you can't sit still for a minute? If so, you might have ADHD. But did you know that ADHD can also lead to anxiety? In this blog post, we will discuss the connection between ADHD and anxiety, and how to get help if you are struggling with both conditions. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. People with ADHD often have trouble in school or work, and may also struggle with relationships. While ADHD can be diagnosed in children, it can also persist into adulthood.

How Common is ADHD and Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States, affecting 40 million adults. Anxiety disorders can take many different forms, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Phobias. People with anxiety disorders often experience symptoms such as racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, irritability, and fear.

While ADHD and anxiety may seem like two completely different conditions, they actually share a lot of similarities. Both ADHD and anxiety can cause problems with focus and concentration, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Additionally, people with ADHD are more likely to also suffer from an anxiety disorder. In fact, studies have shown that up to 60% of people with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder.

If you think you might have both ADHD and anxiety, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. therapy for black girls can be very helpful in managing both conditions. A therapist can help you learn coping mechanisms for dealing with symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety. They can also provide support and guidance as you navigate your day-to-day life.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders in the United States, affecting 40 million adults. Anxiety disorders can take many different forms, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Phobias. People with anxiety disorders often experience symptoms such as racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, irritability, and fear.

While ADHD and anxiety may seem like two completely different conditions, they actually share a lot of similarities. Both ADHD and anxiety can cause problems with focus and concentration, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. Additionally, people with ADHD are more likely to also suffer from an anxiety disorder. In fact, studies have shown that up to 60% of people with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder.

If you think you might have both ADHD and anxiety, it's important to seek help from a mental health professional. therapy for black girls can be very helpful in managing both conditions. A therapist can help you learn coping mechanisms for dealing with symptoms of both ADHD and anxiety. They can also provide support and guidance as you navigate your day-to-day life. If you think therapy for black girls might be right for you, reach out to a mental health professional today.

Living with anxiety or ADHD can be difficult and at times; living with both can be incredibly overwhelming. While it’s important to remember that there is help available, it can seem daunting to figure out where to start looking. Here are some tips for finding the right resources and support:

  1. Reach Out To Your Primary Care Provider - Start by talking to your doctor or primary care provider. Many medical professionals are trained in understanding mental health issues and can provide referrals to specialists in the field. They may also offer helpful insights into which treatment options might work best for you.

  2. Do Research About Available Treatment - Read up on different approaches to treating anxiety and ADHD, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), counseling, lifestyle changes, medications, etc., so that you can make an informed decision about which best suits your needs. It’s also beneficial to become more knowledgeable about the condition itself so that you understand the science behind it better.

  3. Seek Out Support Groups - Joining a support group is a great way of connecting with others who are going through similar struggles as yourself while being able to learn from one another’s experiences and gain valuable insights into managing symptoms and improving overall wellbeing.

  4. Speak To A Professional Mental Health Provider - It’s important to find a therapist who is skilled in treating anxiety or ADHD specifically; many therapists have areas of specialisation and will typically have tailored experience dealing with these conditions – ask them what their approach is and how they would tackle specific issues in order to get a better idea of whether or not they’re the right person for you!

  5. Try Meditation And Mindfulness Exercises - Meditation has been proven to be immensely helpful for reducing stress levels and gaining greater clarity of thought; mindfulness exercises can help us detach from feelings of fear or insecurity which often accompany anxieties as well as regulating emotions associated with ADHD symptoms – both techniques should be practiced regularly for maximum effect! Anxiety and ADHD don't have to hold us back from living life fully – by seeking out professional help along with some self-care measures, we can start taking our mental health seriously in order strengthen our inner resilience so that even when things get tough, we know that we have the resources available within ourselves (as well as externally) which allow us to not only cope but thrive too!

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Deseray Wilson, LMHC

Deseray is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who’s committed to helping Black women learn how to lighten the load. When she created Anxious Black Girls, her mission was to create safe spaces where Black women could break generational patterns that normalize stress, overworking, overthinking, unhealthy relationship patterns and the lack of empathy for self, so they have the capacity to develop healthy habits and relationships, accept help, and feel empowered to live freely in their greatness without the burden of having to figure it out on their own.

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