ADHD and Anxiety

Dr. Saline described the relationship between ADHD and anxiety.
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Sharon Saline, Psy.D., a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 30 years’ experience, is a top expert on ADHD, anxiety, learning differences, and mental health challenges and their impact on school and family dynamics.
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[@tjbarke6086]

The anxiety gets even worse when you grow up without realizing you even have ADHD...

[@sharonsaline4482]

So true. Identifying ADHD, regardless of your age, can help so much with this.

[@DrSharonSaline]

It really is. Acknowledge what you and others didn't know and then pivot with the knowledge you have now about ADHD.

[@GlobalMetalApocalypse]

@@DrSharonSaline I was diagnosed with ADHD / anxiety / RSD at the age of 7; was under CBT and ritalin (UK) for 4 years and even to this day, 25 years later, the 3 are at play but have found ways to maintain these, despite some neurotypicals not getting the quirks and things associated with ADHD as the core ND; like stimming, short-term memory issues, working memory problems, etc.

[@DrSharonSaline]

Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you have found things that work for you.@@GlobalMetalApocalypse

[@ic_0129]

I got diagnosed with adhd and general anxiety disorder. On my first day of concerta my anxiety vanished! I was so used to living with anxiety i just axcepted it as part od my life.. that first day was so eye opening. So grateful to go through a day without anxiety and actually habe high self esteem

[@desiderataification]

I've struggled with this most of my life but especially now at a new job that I feel out of my deapth and anxiety all the time. It's affecting my mind and I'm dreading life in general

[@sharonsaline4482]

That sounds really difficult. I would strongly encourage you to do a few things. First, find a therapist who specializes in anxiety to learn CBT tools to help you. Secondly, talk with your primary care provider about possible medication issue. Thirdly, remember that you have the skills or they wouldn't have hired you. It's always hard to transition to a new job and naturally anxiety producing. Focus on the present more than the future if you can and get some support in prioritizing your tasks. If you more support, consider asking for assistance from your supervisor or finding an ADHD coach. Good luck!

[@limpingcow]

Me too friend. Its so hard. It really sucks the joy out of life.

[@boiwhoactuallyareyou]

same here, 20 years old and every day is a fucking wreck

[@DrSharonSaline]

Slow things down so you can manage better. It's okay not to know what to do at a new job. Who does?

[@sabrinavillarreal4283]

I have ADHD as an adult and having too many tasks to do, trying and failing to multitask, being told im not learning fast enough, not being able to manage time, not being able to do basic math in my head...these have all caused me to have panic attacks at my workplace. I end up job hopping a lot. In most all other situations i have no anxiety at all im pretty social. But when it comes to having to do work and being expected to perform at the same mental pace as my neurotypical coworkers... i really panic... the overwhelm is very difficult

[@DrSharonSaline]

I hear you. Overwhelm is such a commonplace experience for people with ADHD. You are enough and you probably need more time and space to process information and work productively. That's okay. Chunk things down and then tell people that you will deliver a chunk if you can't do the whole thing. Then let them know when you'll have the other pieces. You can only do what you can do.

[@merlindalkowski7607]

This is so on point!

[@DrSharonSaline]

Thanks!

[@davidk.7264]

You got it right 100% me thanks

[@StephanieSarkis]

Look at you! Great job!

[@DrSharonSaline]

Thanks so much Stephanie!! Really appreciate your support!

[@jakeegolf2580]

So well put

[@MoneyBoyCJ]

Same thing applies to adults with adhd

[@DrSharonSaline]

Absolutely

[@SM-lg3mn]

wow this was insightful, thank you

[@WyomingASMR]

1:39 I was literally dragged out of class and set in the hall for the whole day for this. Upsets me to this day.

[@sharonsaline4482]

That sounds terrible. I'm so sorry to hear this.

[@WyomingASMR]

I was only 10 at the time. Was literally dragged out by my ear and arm. I was just diagnosed in my 30's. It's nice to find out others understand us and are working to change things for today's kids.

[@DrSharonSaline]

That's horrible.

[@edwardbrett6133]

Dr Sharon, thankyou for all your work - I love your videos!!! I have a question on this topic - especially to the point of "more people infact have it" - and I agree with all of this, as an addition to this, is not the use of noropenephrine as a replacement for dopamine (ie the biochemical equivelenant of using the stick instead of the carrot), a logical reason for this? You have to use anxiety as a brain signaler/motivator. Unless your using substances, exercise and other things that get you "enough dopamine", inveriably the "stress and adrenaline" biochemical must be used to "do the stuff". As a result, I reckon this would mean that it is almost definate that 90-95%(pulled from the air, but you get my meaning) have anxiety as a core component of their adhd condition?

[@DrSharonSaline]

This is an excellent point however we have to rely on the research. The research shows that as many as 50% of adults with ADHD have a co-existing anxiety diagnosis and around 34% of kids with ADHD have that as well. I'm not a psychiatrist so I can't really discuss how the medications work in the brain. I encourage you to speak to an ADHD-informed psychiatrist to seek the answer to your question.

[@DANStickerman]

Fantastic video .......again. LOL Thx so much Doc. Way to short though. Love your insight, you sweet lady. Dan-0

[@DrSharonSaline]

Thanks! Glad you like it.

[@nenadcubric2663]

Clonidine Helps me

[@irene_f.]

Do you have a video of Adults with ADHD and Anxiety???

[@DrSharonSaline]

Hi there - I do! Please see the several videos on my channel here. Each are clearly labeled, so you should be able to find videos specifically talking to adults easily. I think you might also find that a lot of the information shared here can be helpful across multiple age groups. Thanks for watching!

[@irene_f.]

@@DrSharonSaline Thank you.