Thread by @HelpingKidsADHD

#TuesdayThoughts on #ADHD. Today – ADHD and #Anxiety. Anxiety is a major problem for many kids with #ADHD. Kids with ADHD often seem fearless, but many kids with ADHD struggle with anxiety. THREAD 1/

There is actually a lot of overlap between ADHD and anxiety – both can lead to inattention, restlessness, and irritability. 2/

About 30% of kids with #ADHD also qualify for an anxiety disorder. But even kids without anxiety disorders often have problems with anxiety and worrying. But why do kids with ADHD have problems with anxiety? 3/

There are a number of reasons that #ADHD and #anxiety often happen together. Kids with #ADHD often find that life is very unpredictable. It is harder for them to know if they will do or say the right thing, because they can’t predict their own behavior. 4/

A child who is inattentive might think they are doing their work right, but find out they forgot to follow directions. A child who is hyperactive or impulsive might get in to trouble for something they didn’t even realize they were doing. 5/

This unpredictability can be make life anxiety provoking for kids with #ADHD. The result is that a lot of kids with ADHD develop a lot of anxiety. But kids with #ADHD might not show anxiety the way that we think they will. 6/

We usually imagine a kid with #anxiety as quiet, timid, and shy. But for kids with #ADHD, this might show up differently. Kids with ADHD have so much energy and impulsivity that they often don’t seem like they are worrying about anything. 7/

Instead, many kids with #ADHD and #anxiety become very “rigid” – they want things a certain way, and have a very hard time when things don’t go that way. They may ask a lot of questions, constantly need to know “what comes next,” or worry about when they will get their turn. 8/

They may seem “tense,” “edgy,” or like they are “wrapped too tight.” They may get easily frustrated, have a hard time dealing with disappointment, and struggle when schedules change unexpectedly (or it may show up in other ways, too). 9/

And when things don’t go as planned, kids with #ADHD and #anxiety will often fall apart – they will get “stuck” on getting what they want, be unable to adjust, or sometimes even meltdown or explode. 10/

In fact, #anxiety can be a major contributor to frustration and behavior problems in kids with ADHD. And because of inattention, kids may not even realize they are #anxious, which makes it much harder for them (and us) to calm themselves down. 11/

So if you have kids with #ADHD or are working with kids with #ADHD, try to remember that just because a kid seems fearless, they may still have #anxiety. And that anxiety may be just as much a problem as the inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. 12/END