Anxiety disorders are very, very common — all across the world. Women are about twice as likely to face such a frustrating diagnosis. Meanwhile, at least one-fourth of women with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also coping with an anxiety disorder. We say “at least” because the numbers are almost certainly much higher. After all, ADHD and anxiety look and feel differently in women.
For example, symptoms tend to be more subtle and less easily identifiable. Considering how common this combination is, it’s long overdue that we gain a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of what’s going on. That’s the best way for women to get the help they need and deserve.
What Do ADHD and Anxiety Look Like in Women?
Needless to say, each woman or girl will have unique factors at play. Even so, there are observable trends that are no doubt more common with females. Here are a few to look for.
Sensory Overload
The interactions between anxiety and ADHD can seriously escalate the impact of sensory input in your daily life. This goes beyond experiences that would aggravate anyone. When a woman is dealing with ADHD and anxiety, however, any sound, noise, or texture is enough to provoke intolerance. A bright light or a big crowd can ramp up your symptoms and make everyday events more challenging to manage.
Chronic Rumination
Anxiety is often synonymous with worry. Overthinking is typically inherent in ADHD. Blend these trends together and you can feel like you’ve lost control. As a result, a woman can find herself retreating. She may choose self-isolation precisely when she needs social support more than ever.
Confusing Physical Ailments
Why do I struggle with digestive problems? What’s causing this muscle tension or these chronic headaches? Such signs can exacerbate worry and rumination. It’s not automatically obvious that unexplained physical discomfort is the underlying cause for women with ADHD and anxiety.
Fear of Failure
The last thing a woman with anxiety and ADHD wants is to be watched and possibly judged. Therefore, they withdraw due to fear of failure and rejection. A tendency of perfectionism leads to procrastination, harsh self-judgment, and increasing self-doubt.
A Few Steps a Woman With ADHD and Anxiety Can Try
- Get Informed: The more you know, the better equipped you are to take productive steps. Self-education can instill confidence and awareness in women who could use a hand. As you expand your knowledge, you are ideally positioned to empower your therapist to provide the best possible treatment plan.
- Self-Love: As you can see from the information above, women with ADHD and anxiety can struggle with self-compassion. They feel trapped by a cycle of worry, fear, and shame. All of this (and more) can fuel your critical inner voice. This can be countered by a commitment to being your own best friend.
- Recognize Triggers: You can pre-empt a spiral of anxiety when you know what makes those spirals more likely. Each of us has personal triggers we can monitor and track. Over time, it becomes easier to prevent the patterns and cycles that hamper our joy.
- Learn New Skills: With the help of a skilled therapist, you can learn powerful coping mechanisms. When you identify a looming trigger, you are then able to implement an effective strategy to nip things in the bud.
Help Is Available for Women With ADHD and Anxiety
An anxiety disorder and ADHD are both diagnosable mental health disorders. Asking for help is the ideal way to find the ideal path for your healing journey. As mentioned above, the symptoms can be puzzling. In the presence of an experienced therapist, you will be better able to recover. Let’s connect and make it happen.
