Telltale Signs Your Child Might BE an adhder with anxiety

ADHD and anxiety aren’t mutually exclusive. There is often a strong connection between the two conditions. They tend to share overlapping experiences, so it’s important to have a deeper understanding of what these look like. 

Being able to tell the difference between anxiety and ADHD will benefit your child. But, if they experience both, knowing the telltale signs is also essential. Paths to improving one’s quality of life can differ for ADHDers and those with anxiety, so if your child is experiences both, you don’t want to miss giving them the help and support they need. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more obvious signs that your child might experience co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. 

Signs of Anxiety in ADHD Kids

If you know your child is an ADHDer, you’re probably well aware of some of the common signs. The easiest traits to recognize include signs of an interest-based nervous system, which can appear as difficulties paying attention or finishing tasks that aren’t particularly interesting to them.

When a child also has anxiety on top of being an ADHDer, they can have additional unique experiences. It’s not uncommon for them to be argumentative. They might get irritated easily. They might also have difficulty being around people and frequently withdraw to comfortable, secure places like their bedroom. 

Finally, children that experience ADHD and anxiety might deal with intense fears. That can come in the form of separation anxiety or worries about the future and how their condition might affect them. They might also develop fears about things that never used to scare them. For instance, they might suddenly be afraid of the dark, or have a hard time whenever they see a large dog or a mouse. 

It can be difficult to see your child struggling with fears and anxious thoughts, especially when emotion regulation challenges that accompany ADHD might be making things worse. But, don’t brush these symptoms under the rug. The more you face them head-on, the easier it will be for your child to receive an accurate diagnosis so they can get the help they deserve. 

How Are ADHD and Anxiety Connected?

The reason ADHD and anxiety often get confused with one another is that they can look similar on the surface. 

For example, it’s not uncommon for ADHDers to “tune out” and have trouble focusing. People with anxiety often have trouble paying attention, too, because they’re preoccupied with their worried thoughts. 

Both ADHDers and people with anxiety can also get caught up in their emotions easily. It happens for different reasons, but the signs can present themselves similarly. 

Finally, both anxiety and ADHD are caused by differences in the brain. There isn’t a blanket solution that’s designed to address both at once. 

How to MOVE forward and improve quality of life with These Conditions

Even if you’re concerned that your child is dealing with both ADHD and anxiety, the best thing you can do for them is to make sure each condition is diagnosed separately and addressed appropriately. There are medication options for each condition. Therapy can also make it easier for your child to cope and manage their emotions.

Therapy is also great for teaching your child strategies to calm themselves down. Things like deep breathing, mindfulness, and meditation are fantastic options that can make it easier to manage anxiety and improve focus all at once. 

Again, it can be difficult to see your child struggling with ADHD traits and dealing with fears and worries on top of it. If any of the experiences here sound familiar, don’t hesitate to reach out for help as soon as possible. As a parent, it’s often frustrating and exhausting trying to get to the bottom of these things on your own. Thankfully, you don’t have to. 

Feel free to contact us to set up an appointment for ADHD Assessment or child therapy.