Do you sometimes feel like you have a thousand things going on in your head at once? Do you find yourself unable to focus on one task, unable to focus on one thing, and feeling overwhelmed and anxious for no apparent reason? If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you may be familiar with the second feeling, anxiety. Although these two conditions are separate, about half of adults with ADHD also have anxiety. So you are not alone. The best part is that with proper treatment, you can control both your ADHD symptoms and these unnecessary fears.
What happens when ADHD and Anxiety come together?
If you have ADHD and anxiety, it can make your ADHD symptoms worse. For example, you may have trouble concentrating and feel restless all the time. There are also some symptoms that are specific to the anxiety disorder itself.
Simply put, anxiety is more than just feeling scared from time to time. It's a mental illness that can affect your daily life, relationships, and work.
| Main symptoms of anxiety | |
|---|---|
| Constant worry | Constant, uncontrollable worry about unrelated things. |
| Always restless. | Feeling uneasy and constantly feeling like something bad is going to happen. |
| Stress | Feeling of constant pressure in the body and mind. Things like muscle tension and headaches may occur. |
| Chronic fatigue | Feeling tired and lacking energy throughout the day, even after sleeping well. |
| Sleep problems | Difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently, or feeling restless even after sleeping. |
Is this something that comes from ADHD? Or is it a separate anxiety condition?
This is a very important question. Sometimes the anxiety you feel can be caused by your ADHD condition. How is that possible? Imagine, you have a lot of work to do. Because of ADHD, you don't feel like starting any of it, you can't focus. In the end, you feel a lot of fear and pressure, "Oh, I can't do any of this." If your anxiety is always related to ADHD problems such as not being able to do things properly, forgetting things, or not being on time, then it may be anxiety caused by ADHD itself.
But sometimes the anxiety you feel isn't just related to ADHD. If you're constantly worrying about your family, your job, your health, your money, the world around you... or a bunch of unrelated things, it could be a separate anxiety disorder in addition to ADHD.
The best person to know exactly what these two are is your doctor . Talk to him openly about this. He may ask you questions like:
- Do you often worry about meaningless things?
- Do you find it difficult to control these worries?
- Do you sleep well at night?
- Are you missing out on your daily activities (work, family matters) because of this fear and anxiety?
- Do you worry like this for at least three days a week, for an hour or more a day?
- Has there been a major change or traumatic event in your life recently?
- Has anyone in your family had this type of anxiety ?
The answers to these questions will help your doctor understand what kind of condition you have.
How to treat both ADHD and Anxiety?
When planning treatment, your doctor will first look at which condition is affecting your life the most. In most cases, with proper treatment for ADHD, the anxiety it causes will be greatly reduced .
Benefits of treating ADHD for anxiety:
- Your stress will decrease.
- Attention to managing work improves.
- It provides the mental strength needed to combat anxiety symptoms.
However, if you have a separate anxiety disorder in addition to ADHD, you may need to treat both at the same time. Fortunately, there are treatments that can help with both conditions.
Some of them are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Relaxation techniques and meditation
- Prescription medications
Do ADHD medications have an effect on anxiety?
The most common type of medication used for ADHD is stimulants. Examples include methylphenidate and amphetamines. These medications can help with your ADHD, even if you have anxiety.
But here's something important to know. A common side effect of these stimulants is increased anxiety. While it's impossible to say exactly how a drug will affect you, for some people, these medications can make anxiety worse.
If this happens to you, don't panic. Talk to your doctor about it. He or she may be able to suggest other non-stimulant medications, such as atomoxetine (Strattera) or viloxazine (Qelbree).
In addition, your doctor may also recommend other medications, such as:
- Antidepressants: Drugs like `Bupropion (Wellbutrin)`, `Fluoxetine (Prozac)`, `Sertraline (Zoloft)`, `Venlafaxine (Effexor)`.
- High blood pressure medications: Some medications, such as clonidine (Kapvay) and guanfacine (Intuniv), can also help manage ADHD and anxiety.
The most important thing is to maintain regular contact with your doctor. Let him know of any changes in your medications, good or bad, so he can develop the treatment plan that works best for you.
Take-Home Message
- ADHD and anxiety often occur together. If you suffer from both, you are not alone.
- It is essential for treatment to determine whether the anxiety you are experiencing is caused by ADHD or a separate medical condition.
- Always talk to your doctor to learn the truth about this and develop the best treatment plan. Don't make decisions based on information you read online.
- Often, when ADHD is properly treated, the anxiety associated with it also decreases.
- There are various treatment options, including medications and therapy. Don't be afraid to talk openly with your doctor to find what works best for you.
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