Anxiety and ADHD - How Are They Related?

[@dubious_honey]

I don't think I've ever clicked faster on one of your videos 😅

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

I hope it didn't cause a seizure when doing so, LOL. Thanks!

[@jonistidham4278]

Same 😅

[@MiffoKarin]

I'm pretty sure that my brain developed anxiety as a coping mechanism for my ADHD. I tend to forget things, so my anxiety is there to tell me to write things down, pack far in advance and set alarms. Since I can't keep track of time my anxiety makes me constantly look at the clock when I need to be on time for something. The anxious energy can be diverted to tasks that my ADHD really doesn't want to do.

[@georgianabodoiu59]

I completely subscribe to your statement

[@jayazhane7374]

My previous psychiatrist insisted we treat the anxiety. It worked! So well that I forgot to work for a week and didn't clock any hours. I see a different psychiatrist now and use ADHD-first medication.

[@reneechambliss9533]

That’s been my experience as well. I went undiagnosed for most of my life, and I think I coped by drumming up and using anxious energy in order to function. It’s like self-medicating with your own stress hormones. It was a somewhat effective method, but an awful way to live. Now that I know that I have ADHD and am being treated, I’m working on rewiring myself, so I don’t habitually default to that anxious state.

[@bikergirl420.]

Anxiety is the biggest symptom of my adhd. I’m extremely hyperactive mentally & physically. Undiagnosed until late 40’s. This information is so simple to understand, but accurate. Almost cried. It’s difficult to put in to words how much this information is helpful(not normally lost for words)Just wish health care professional in the nhs Uk were educated with the correct information, particularly psychiatry. Thank you ♥️🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@AlanSilva-bu1kp]

ADHD has wrecked me up, not gonna lie.

[@CHKrause]

Personal experience, not scientific evidence I've seen: IMO anxiety is not just a side effect of ADHD, but can also be a coping mechanism. I spent my life anticipating failure and turned out to be a successful overachiever by trying to "keep the wolves from the door". It's a risky game with a high chance of burnout. Since my diagnosis. I have lowered my expectations and catastrophic less. Quality of life has improved, but I definitely get less s**t done. An observation by one of the social media clips that people with ADHD who seem successful, also often seem "highly strung" points in the same direction.

[@Elspm]

Yeah, when I felt like I was found to die and/or accidentally kill someone every day I was more successful. But I was also a total wreck with regular suicidal ideation over how I was definitely going to kill someone by making a mistake at work. Since diagnosis, although meds help, I struggle with dedication ti work because I haven't been suffering with anxiety anything like to the same extent.

[@Recordesk]

Very important perspective and your experience. I so appreciate you sharing your real-life experience. Thank you

[@publius9350]

You were the person who made me understood ADHD and anxiety were not a one or the other condition years ago with the conference video that still floats around.

[@hideokojima2395]

thank you russell for yet another life-changing and informative lecture. you are my favorite person on this planet, i genuinely mean that. just thank you for being you and all that you do for the ADHD and neuroscience community.

[@Maclabhruinn]

Thank you Dr Barkley! Yet another extremely helpful presentation. I love the clear analytical and evidence-based approach!

[@MsPatomar]

Dr Barkley you are a font of knowledge. Such an inspiration. Thank you for all you do for our community ❤️🙏🏼 May God bless you ❤️

[@Recordesk]

Share the info and share the link. A lot of folks will benefit. I sure did.

[@UnseenOct]

Very curious about this as Strattera cured my anxiety almost entirely

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Strattera is known to treat anxiety even independent of its effects on ADHD. So no real surprise there. Be well.

[@sebben13]

I'm trying strattera right now for my adhd but I've not noticed any effect and I'm at the max dose already 😢

[@bellyfulochelly4222]

​@sebben13 Same! Are you, by chance a woman? I read that these meds tend to be less effective in females. I'm a woman myself, and i'm struggling to find an effective drug treatment.

[@sebben13]

@@bellyfulochelly4222 No I'm a male, but I have hyper rapid metabolism for CYP2D6, meaning I my body burns away most substances before I get any effect. You might have something similar 🧐

[@anyatrioli3734]

What about ADHD people who are mostly mentally hyperactive - multiple concurrent streams of thought sort of thing - and spend a lot of time reflecting on things, exploring ideas, thoughts, feelings etc. at the expense of tasks like studying for uni or you get stuck sitting in a towel for 2hrs for no particular reason after a shower?

[@bikergirl420.]

Thank you ♥️🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@Sereno44]

Definitely right, Dr. Russell. I was on such at 50 that even my blood pressure started to rise. In my country, the psychiatrists stopped prescribing Vyvanse and Adderall because they were afraid of effects. Idiots. But they easily prescribed tranquilizers

[@ethanolol3895]

this makes so much as I have taken Ssris for a while but i have never exper8enced classi anxiety symptoms. the mild sympt9ms align much more closely with my experience alongside adhd. thank you again for educating us, Dr Barkley!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Thank you!

[@spenserclarke5956]

After watching the video, I believe I fall into the one category that is believed to NOT be connected, this being the 'classic anxiety' coming last, and in response to everything else, especially insofar as how quickly I deteriorated early 2023, just after two recent and successive negative workplace events in the proceeding few months (one being that I was sacked for having had a few sick days, and terminated without any warnings, whilst I was still on sick leave!), which left me with EXTREME trust issues, and then a case of Agoraphobia, which I've NEVER had! The previous 'anxiety' I did have, was from an original workplace dispute 10 years ago, which left me 'damaged', but still functional, if a bit battered, but nowhere near what occurred last March, which simply began as feeling nervous driving (and I used to be a courier, so no problems there) and one day in the new job, after there was 'trust' issues arising over payroll problems, I woke up one day and simply could not face work! It went downhill from there. Despite not having worked for over 18 months, (although I have have several legal conflicts to deal with in relation to previous events), I remain on a 'hair trigger' response, and unable to do much of anything which produces the slightest amount of stress without experiencing cognitive reduction. I think what has occurred is complete burnout! I used to do busy courier work, and hospitality and call centre customer service work without issue...then it ALL stopped dead in it's tracks! Several months after my burnout, early mid 2023, I was diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. To be honest, I do not know who is correct, and why such things were not diagnosed over 10 years ago when the first thing occurred. To me, it seems only once I have hit rock bottom, and become completely broken, it got figured out, which makes me wonder how my life may have been so much different, had I been diagnosed/treated many years ago.

[@amandafox815]

Very informative, thank you for your efforts in the ADHD community.

[@JayCamel]

Wow! This would explain my early 20's pre-diagnosis ADHD & Anxiety. A verbal conflict would arise with my partner over silly household events. The result would be me in fenzy of cleaning. I would do laundry, or whatever to avoid further. My heart rate would be through the roof. I couldn't stop until I could get everything done that could result in future conflicts. Thank you so much! I have been following you since 2017. You have had a profoundly positive effect on my life.

[@Cecibug1]

Did it often result in cleaning? Did messes stress you out until you could do something about it? Like does sitting in a messy space give you anxiety?

[@eliseholton9284]

The inner current turmoil and agitation is preventing me from moving forward and improving.... affecting every day.

[@robbyyy216]

that was so informative, thank you so much!

[@Cecibug1]

This was very insightful. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, and OCPD. As well as having very intense PPD with 3 pregnancies. When i was in grade school i took Adderall but stopped as an adult thinking i could manage fine since i didnt like the sluggish feeling it gave me. For about 4 years I had strong intrusive suicidal thoughts that would affect me 15+ times a day CBT helped decrease that significantly but I never found ssri's to help. Finally i decided to try something to help my ADHD again because i was struggling staying on task at work. Suddenly the atomoxetine i was trying made a huge improvement for me. I found that once my adhd was being treated all the comorbidity especially the OCPD became soooo much more manageable! I still struggle with the anxiety and am looking for ways to improve it. I just started taking some herbal supplements for this. Wishing everyone luck on their journey of takling their mental illness/s ❤

[@thebigscore01]

Thank you, Dr barkley!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

You're most welcome!

[@gavinchirevers3527]

After watching you videos, I went back to the therapist and got in medication. My life has changed. I wanted to end it all, I was such a failure. I tried and tried. I was diagnosed long ago, but i never knew how much adhd affects life. I wasn't informed correctly, so I never took medication seriously. Watching your videos saved me. Also, my kid is in the process of getting help. Thank you 🩷

[@paulbolton2322]

As always , this is all good to know. ❤️💎S of wisdom. Xx

[@synapticburst]

Needed this thank you!!

[@iliyanovslounge]

Thank you!

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

You're welcome!

[@cookiecat57]

Wow! That was the clearest explanation and so helpful for me to determine how my anxiety is triggered. Is it because of ADHD or my trauma history? Thank you.

[@elinaselene]

Thank you for this 🙏

[@Atclav]

Jesus Christ this guy is helpful. I take Stratterra and Guanfacine.

[@gn0st1c]

"Mind-wandering in daily life in depressed individuals: An experience sampling study" (Journal of Affective Disorders Volume 366, 1 December 2024)

[@meganwestwood6057]

Can you discuss (or direct me to previous video/resources that cover) ADHD with comorbid OCD? Specifically I am wondering if stimulant medication can worsen OCD, though I know it's more likely that treating ADHD can "untangle" symptoms from comorbid disorders and make remaining symptoms more obvious. Also, if ADHD and "pure O" OCD (misnomer) are more commonly co-morbid. I saw a very compelling video about a theory that untreated/misunderstood ADHD in childhood (where symptoms had to be suppressed with maladaptive coping) can cause OCD and I really relate to that. It's already been studied that OCD onset is significantly earlier in people with ADHD. Anyway, I trust you more than any other authority on ADHD but I couldn't find a lot from you on OCD.

[@Ouiofcourse]

A lot of people with ADHD don't know why they cannot do stuff, they cannot take action... it will be a good idea to explain the task positive Network ( TPN ), so they stop getting scammed by charlatan. They start to understand that they need clarity, to take action! Please like so we can have this video! 👍

[@Recordesk]

TPN task positive bnetwork... first I have heard of this. Thank you for your post.

[@Ouiofcourse]

​@@Recordeskif you understand the neural anatomy of ADHD, you understand ADHD... otherwise you're just going to have to use some abstract model. It's actually simple, due to a bad connection, there's some area and also neural networks in your brain that don't work.( kind of ) The medication fix some of the connection and make some of those area work. Like 40% fix (kind of) now the charlatans, will try to make you believe that you can do this without medication which is literally impossible... and they going to waste your time and money and you will continue to suffer...

[@Ouiofcourse]

if you understand the neural anatomy of ADHD, you understand ADHD... otherwise you're just going to have to use some abstract model. It's actually simple, due to a bad connection, there's some area and also neural networks in your brain that don't work.( kind of ) The medication fix some of the connection and make some of those area work. Like 40% fix (kind of) now the charlatans, will try to make you believe that you can do this without medication which is literally impossible... and they going to waste your time and money and you will continue to suffer...

[@BCTvfx]

I struggle with both for sure. Anxiety puts me in a deadlock even though my brain has a list of things to do and that it wants to do.

[@BCTvfx]

wow CDS

[@eliseholton9284]

its preventing me from doing the things that i know help.....and just turning me towards alcohol

[@williamrace8064]

Dr. Barkley, you say that panic attacks are more associated with classic anxiety but could ADHD induce a milder version of panic attack on its own (or perhaps anxiety attack)? How would you differentiate between the two in a potentially comorbid case? Would the critical difference be the presence of physical symptoms (such as numbness and hyperventilation) or the reason that the panic attack occurs (whether it was irrational or rational)?

[@faustianblur1798]

Could CDS be triggered by anxiety in someone with ADHD, so they become withdrawn and instead of seeking external stimulation they self-stimulate through day dreaming? Perhaps the specific self-aggrandizing or revenge centred nature of the fantasies are chosen to produce heightened emotional responses similar to risk taking external behaviours. Just an interesting thought.

[@sherrigarrett3649]

And so is there a situation where one could have ADHD and a clinical anxiety disorder? The anxiety I have goes far beyond what I would expect from my ADHD diagnosis and its associated mild anxiety.

[@Hest4]

Stimulant medication pretty much cured my anxiety - a surprise to me and my (now ex) psychologist

[@fabiengarcia3011]

What about Ashwagandha to help for anxiety/stress with ADHD ?

[@KnarfMetmohn]

Hello KZbin Algorithm, please share this to as many as possible.

[@sarahhartnett5629]

I wonder if SSRI’s can trigger cognitive disengagement in susceptible people. When I tried taking an SSRI I had this bizarre reaction that felt like my brain just shut down. I honestly thought I might be having a stroke, but thankfully everything checked out ok and I was fine once I stopped the medication. I couldn’t find any mention of this side effect in the literature, apart from “sleepiness”, which doesn’t really express the severity of my experience. But it was such an odd feeling that I imagine it would be hard to report or document systematically.

[@Handle8844]

How does ADHD compare to ASD when it comes to anxiety, please?

[@itsmeagain0]

Except for when I'm listening to songs specifically, background music gives me anxiety. I don't know if I have ADHD but this phenomenon is very severe. Any comment on this pls?

[@awf6554]

Very interesting - and annoying! Ive seen an ADHD specialist for classic symptoms who did a brain scan, and found very high rumination levels. His reaction: "doesnt look like ADHD", when I now find out theres comobidity. So it turns out he was yet another Dr making me doubt my diagnosis. ☹️

[@eliseholton9284]

Im currently working like fk to not react but i notice it all....i call it dodging bullets.....As far as Anxiety goes, it was never me but now im super Agitated within for some reason.... its throughout each day

[@marie70carter]

Not being able to control your brain makes you worry

[@maryannnichols1043]

I’m rather confused about the difference between CDS and inattentive type ADHD.

[@virtuallanny7048]

[@xenogardien]

I've read somewhere that mindfulness based practices might be contraindicated for people with anxiety. Is that not true? :o

[@Cristian-mb8sr]

Hi Dr. Can you review if there is a higher RR of dependence to anti-anxiety meds, like BZD in ADHD?. Thanks.

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Not to my knowledge but you can use Google Scholar to search journals for anything about that issue. be well.

[@drrodopszin]

Long, corporate meetings would make you have Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome for sure.

[@guillaumeb6698]

Does anyone with mentally hyperactive ADHD plays vidéo games/computer games (liek sudoku) extensively to channel their mind ? I think my dad is AuDHD but in denial (or even unable to figure himself out), and as he gets older, he's become pretty much unable to take initiatives (even like "there's no more bread, I'll go buy some) and spends a LOT of time playing sudoku. It's as if his mind resorts to playing sudoku as soon as there is nothing channeling it (like eating, a few routines, or someone asking him something), it's sad to see.

[@Recordesk]

Share this information. Share this link.

[@ZenonOchrap]

How to fix it ;-)

[@EhsanKhodadadi-r7y]

❤❤❤❤

[@russellbarkleyphd2023]

Thanks so much!

[@eliseholton9284]

where did the dad jokes go ? I now have a paperback due to technical issues....ps ive had a dring

[@eliseholton9284]

irritation overload.

[@Batpimpn]

Please speak to Andrew Huberman, jordan Peterson or Rhonda Patrick Would love to hear you break down some ADHD knowledge

[@atharvafasale]

Explains the panic attacks I'm having left and right 🫠