Ep. 47: Kick Your ADHD-Inflamed Anxiety

Kick Some ADHD

ADHD brings anxiety along with it... at least for most of us. But when we talk about the two subjects together, we need to distinguish between the anxiety that nearly all of us experience and a so-called "anxiety disorder" that has a very specific medical definition. According to Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a clinical psychologist and clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, about 30 to 40 percent of people with ADHD have an anxiety disorder, which includes "obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, social anxiety and panic disorder." In this episode, we talk about identifying and recognizing anxiety independently of ADHD—which can be difficult because many of the symptoms overlap. We also talk about ways that ADHD can itself inspire anxiety when we worry about our ADHD-related challenges. We also discuss words that can trigger anxiety for those of us with ADHD, and specific ADHD symptoms that can fuel anxiety. This is an episode that we can perhaps all relate to... but of course we don't just discuss the problems. Dana shares some proven long-term techniques to help with ADHD-related anxiety as well as some "spot treatments" that you can use any time you're feeling anxious. What fuels your ADHD-related anxiety? Are there words that regularly trigger your anxiety? We want to hear from you! Share them with us on Twitter: @KickSomeADHD or in the comments on this episode! Keep learning about your ADHD: Let’s Get Real, Are You Okay?The ADHD Perfectionism TrapCoping with ADHD – Don’t Should On Me!