Exporing the link between Anxiety and ADHD

Anxiety and ADHD can fuel each other in a never-ending loop. ADHD's inherent impulsivity and inattentiveness can trigger anxiety, leading to worry and excessive concern about potential (often irrational) outcomes. Similarly, anxiety can highten ADHD symptoms, making it harder to focus and concentrate.

Breaking free from this cycle requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses both conditions and their interrelated effects. We help address how to help manage both in our Zing programme - each is personalised to the individual and the struggles they face.

Ask yourself ‘is this rational thinking?’ - often, the answer is no. And just knowing that can help you restructure your thoughts.
Try and purposely break your thought process and change what you’re doing - if you’re stressing in a work situation and catastrophising, take a break and go for a walk. It sounds simple but it really can help.
Recognise the pattern in your thinking - is it happening at the same time? Is there a trigger for this way of thinking?
Share worrying thoughts with a trusted friend or family member - sometimes this can help you ationalise.

The combination of anxiety and ADHD can significantly impact various aspects of your daily life. We want you to know though, you are not alone in this and your feelings are completely valid - whether you’re starting to see certain symptoms or you’re in the deep of it all, struggling to cope. Helping to understand why you’re feeling the way you are can really help you understand yourself better.

Do any of these sound familiar?

Simple tasks may become overwhelming due to racing thoughts and difficulty staying on track
Social situations trigger anxiety and lead to feelings of self-doubt
Planning and organisation may feel like an uphill battle, causing increased stress and frustration

As we said, we promise that you’re not alone. Recognising these challenges and seeking appropriate support and coping strategies can make a world of difference. You can reach out to one of our highly experienced team today who will help you on your journey.

There are many different strategies you can try to help you cope in your daily life; from medication to a more holistic approach. We’re big believers that different methods work differently for each individual and not to be disheartened if you feel like one strategy doesn’t work for you. It may take some time to find something that suits.

If you feel things are getting too much and can’t see the light, it’s always best to talk to your doctor first. They may recommend CBT (Cognitive-behavioural therapy) or point you in the direction of mindfulness practices. So, don’t worry if you don’t want to go down the medication route (although it is helpful for many).

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you develop coping mechanisms for anxiety while also addressing ADHD-related challenges.

CBT can help alter your anxious and sometimes irrational thought process that can sometimes look like:

All or nothing thinking: everything is either all good or all bad
Seeing one single event as a pattern that doesn’t exist
You think you know what people are thinking (often negatively toward you)
You think you can predict what will happen next - often with negative thinking
Exaggerating minor problems
Blaming yourself for things going wrong, even things outwith your control entirely
Constant comparison to other people, making you feel inferior

Medication may be considered as part of your treatment plan, under the guidance of a healthcare professional. But don’t worry if you don’t want to take this route, you’re ultimately in control of your own body and can make these decisions based on what’s best for you.

Similarly though, there is no shame in needing support with medication - short term or long term. If it helps you organise your thoughts and approach each day with a bit more clarity and peace, it’s definitely worth it.

Our exercise based program is a great tool to help manage your everyday struggles with ADHD and anxiety and as you can see, our existing customers are our greatest advocates, with life changing results.

Our program is exercise based and focuses on the development of the Cerebellum. The Cerebellum is the part of the brain that is responsible for the automation of fundamental skills; from being consciously controlled by the thinking part of the brain (the Prefrontal Cortex), to being automated and controlled by the Cerebral Cortex - which is far more efficient.

You can read more about the science behind our programs here.

It's important to remember that everyone's journey is unique, and finding the right combination of strategies may take you some time. So, we ask of you not to give up at the first hurdle and to always remember that you’re not alone.

Understanding the connection between ADHD and anxiety is a crucial step towards helping to improve your daily life. By recognising theseoverlapping symptoms, breaking the cycle of worry, and adopting different approaches, you really can navigate the challenges with resilience.

And remember, seeking professional guidance and building a strong support network are vital components of this journey towards balance and well-being.

If you want to talk about your anxiety or ADHD (or both!) please reach out today and one of our dedicated team will be sure to help.

Exploring the link between Anxiety and ADHD

Understanding the overlapping symptoms

The vicious cycle of worry

Here are a few ways we recommend trying to help to break the cycle of worry:

Impact on daily life

Coping Methods & Support Strategies

Holistic approaches to managing both

Take a look at some of the example exercises from our tailored program