Is it ADHD or Anxiety (or both)?
Telling the difference between ADHD and Anxiety can be challenging.
ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and it often presents with an array of symptoms often seen with other conditions. Most often Anxiety is co-occurring. Both ADHD and Anxiety share a number of characteristics making them challenging to identify and treat. Although they are separate disorders, they often have symptoms that overlap and individuals can have one of these conditions or both and have similar concerns.
Feelings of restlessness, trouble concentrating, excessive worry and difficulty sleeping can all occur with both ADHD and anxiety. Other symptoms are somewhat more specific to each condition.
Anxiety Symptoms
Irrational fears
Physical symptoms (nausea, cold/sweaty hands, hear palpitation, shortness of breath, teeth clenching)
Avoidance of social settings or school
Separation anxiety from parents
Racing thoughts
Nightmares
Changes in mood (irritability, feeling on edge)
Difficulty concentrating
ADHD Symptoms
Fidgeting
Being easily distracted
Trouble staying organized and finishing tasks
Losing things
Impulsive behavior, not waiting turn, blurting out answers, not waiting turn
Worry about performance
How to tell the difference
A thorough medical history is important including family history of physical and mental health conditions
Developmental history and educational performance over the years should be evaluated
In what settings to symtpoms occur the most and with what frequency
Are there known triggers
How to treat
Therapy is important and first line treatment
Reducing stress and getting daily physical activity is important
Often clinicians will treat the ADHD symptoms first as stimulant medications don’t take long to work and effects can be seen quickly
What is more debilitating for your child - the ADHD symptoms or Anxiety symptoms? This will often guide how treatment is prioritized.
Sometimes stimulant medications can make anxiety symptoms worse and need to be changed or stopped.
If there is a diagnosis of both ADHD and Anxiety often they are treated with different medications
If medication is being used, it can take some time to get the desired effects. Work closely with your medical provider to ensure safety and the best treatment.
It’s important to remember that a child can have one or both of these conditions. Accurately diagnosing the issue and treating is appropriately is very important to ensuring the best outcome and quality of life for your child.
I hope after reading this you have gained more insights into this complex topic of ADHD and Anxiety in children. If you still have questions, please reach out to me. Make sure you also check out easy it is to get help now by booking a Telehealth appointment.
