ADHD and Stress

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that affects millions of people of all ages around the world. If you struggle with ADHD you'll often find that it brings stress and anxiety due to your inability to stay focused on tasks, regulate emotions, and control impulsive behaviour. It can significantly impact quality of life for both adults and children, and can be difficult to manage without the right resources and support.

ADHD typically manifests as difficulty in sustaining attention, difficulty following instructions, controlling impulsive behaviours, and regulating activity levels. ADHD can be especially challenging to manage due to its wide-ranging effects on academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life.  

Because of the difficulty people with ADHD have in focusing, their inability to sit still, and often impulsive behaviour, ADHD can be a source of stress and anxiety for individuals living with it every day. With proper diagnosis and treatment, however, ADHD can be managed in order to help reduce or eliminate the associated negative symptoms and lead to a more fulfilling life.  

The problem here can often be that diagnoses are not always easy to come by. A GP may not be qualified to diagnose a neurological disorder, and waiting lists to see specialists, psychologists and psychiatrists can be incredibly long. This can be frustrating if you're an adult who has self-diagnosed and needs an official diagnosis, but for children struggling with school, family dynamics, or simply socialising it can be far more concerning. Naturally teachers want to find the best outcomes for all their students, including those with ADHD. However, if one child's ADHD presents itself as disruptive with poor impulse control then that child might find themselves being punished in order to maintain overall classroom discipline. An ADHD diagnosis would mean that this child would receive the special attention that they need to thrive academically, rather than being seen as a problem which must be solved for the greater good of the class.

Recent studies indicate that an increasing number of adults are being diagnosed with ADHD as they age. This could be due to increased stress levels or the development of new symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. People who struggle with ADHD commonly find themselves unable to concentrate or focus on tasks, which can make it difficult for them to manage stressful situations effectively. In addition, impulsivity can lead to dangerous decisions during periods of high anxiety or distress, thus putting the person at greater risk for physical injury or harm.

ADHD affects approximately 11% of children and 4.4% of adults. There are several theories as to why there is this disparity since a neurological disorder you're born with is unlikely to simply go away over time. One of the most convincing theories is that children are now being properly diagnosed rather than simply being seen as badly behaved, disruptive, naughty or unruly. The number of adults being diagnosed is still low as people who've grown up with ADHD have developed their own coping strategies and now 'just get on with it' despite finding routine tasks more difficult because prolonged attention and concentration is so difficult.  

ADHD is a complex disorder with many symptoms alongside difficulty focusing. Other symptoms can include impulsivity, restlessness and frequent mood swings. Unfortunately, those affected by ADHD are often faced with other issues such as stress and anxiety thanks to (for example,) not being able to complete tasks in a timely manner because of distractions or having become overwhelmed.  

One particular area that those with ADHD may struggle with, which will have a negative effect on overall mental health, is worrying. Research has found that people with ADHD are more prone to anxious feelings and ruminating on negative events or outcomes than their peers who do not have the condition. This type of worrying can lead to increased stress levels, decreased concentration and fatigue, all of which further exacerbate the difficulty of managing symptoms associated with ADHD. For this reason, it is important for those living with ADHD to receive support from professionals and loved ones in order to develop strategies for dealing effectively with worrisome thoughts.

Stress can be caused by everyday pressures or bigger events like starting a new school or job, moving to a different house or even taking an exam. People with ADHD may be more likely to ruminate on negative thoughts due to their hyperactive minds, which can lead to increased worry and tension. Anxiety can also result from hypersensitivity to sound or touch, perfectionism or feeling overwhelmed due to having too many tasks on their plate at once. Getting the help of a professional ADHD coach can have an incredibly beneficial effect on people who are struggling. From simply being 'seen' and having their struggles recognised and accepted through to receiving useful, actionable strategies to overcome obstacles which their ADHD can set up for them.

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