The Relationship Between ADHD and Anxiety in Women

Anxiety can impact anyone. It doesn’t discriminate between men and women, and you don’t necessarily have to have any other underlying mental or physical health conditions to experience it.

However, there are certain factors that can increase your risk of developing anxiety. For example, women with ADHD are often more likely to experience anxiety than women without the disorder. There are several reasons why the two conditions are connected, and understanding that connection can help you get the support and treatment you need.

Let’s take a closer look at the relationship between ADHD and anxiety in women and what you can do to manage both.

Why ADHD Fuels Anxiety

Studies have shown that girls with ADHD are often diagnosed with anxiety before ADHD is discovered. There are a few reasons for this. It’s not uncommon for girls with ADHD to be misdiagnosed or to not even seek out a diagnosis. Girls can sometimes be better at “hiding” their symptoms of ADHD, so they might not receive a diagnosis until later in life.

But, even without a diagnosis, the connection between ADHD and anxiety for girls and women is strong. Anxiety fuels itself on the “what ifs” and the unknowns of life. It causes you to think negative thoughts about yourself and the world around you. When you have ADHD, that fear can be even greater.

You might develop a fear of failure or rejection due to your disorder. Or, you might have a deep-rooted fear of trying new things or socializing with people because you’re worried about being judged. The “what ifs” can start to run wild in your mind, allowing your anxiety to control the narrative just because you have ADHD.

What Triggers Anxiety

Women can sometimes have a greater fear of failure than their male counterparts. They think they have to be strong or measure up, especially in relationships and in the workplace. When you’re a woman with ADHD, some of your symptoms can fuel that fear of failure, creating a vicious cycle of anxiety that’s hard to escape.

For example, it’s not uncommon for people with ADHD to have trouble focusing. You might miss appointments or be frequently late, or you might forget important dates or pieces of information. Those issues can cause you to assume the worst about yourself or think that others are judging you, which ends up making your negative, anxious thoughts even worse.

What Can You Do?

If you’ve never been officially diagnosed with either ADHD or anxiety, the best thing you can do is see your doctor or a mental health professional. It’s not uncommon for a misdiagnosis to occur in women because of some of the overlap in symptoms.

Once you start to get some answers, you can work on things on your own and with the support of others who can help with both conditions. A combination of therapy and medication is often the best option for people dealing with ADHD. Anxiety or ADHD therapy can also help you better understand where your anxiety comes from and how you can manage it effectively on a daily basis.

At home, prioritize self-care practices. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, staying physically active, and finding ways to reduce stress. Mindfulness, meditation, and journaling are all great options for managing anxious thoughts on your own. Keeping a daily routine or schedule can also make anxiety more manageable.

Don’t let stigma, stereotypes, or misdiagnosis keep you from getting the help you deserve. You don’t have to let the effects of ADHD or anxiety control your life forever. Contact me for more information or to set up an appointment soon.