Dyslexia And ADHD: Coping With A Dual Diagnosis
Dyslexia and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two separate conditions. Dyslexia is a learning disability, and ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Though they’re distinct from each other and have different symptoms, it’s not uncommon that ADHD and dyslexia occur simultaneously. Below, we’ll take a closer look at dyslexia and ADHD in terms of similarities, symptom overlap, and treatment options.
Dyslexia: A common learning disability
Developmental dyslexia is a learning disability that’s specifically related to language. An individual with this condition typically has difficulties with reading and may also have trouble with spelling, writing, and correctly pronouncing words out loud. It’s a life-long condition that’s often first noticed in children in elementary school. Support services such as tutoring or special accommodations may help someone with dyslexia succeed in a school setting, overcome negative feedback, and develop positive feelings about their learning abilities.
Dyslexia affects people differently based on the age of the individual, but a few general symptoms can include:
Slow to acquire reading skills in school relative to typical learners
Poor spelling
Poor handwriting
A dislike of and/or frustration with reading-related tasks
A lack of fluency with oral speech
Difficulty remembering names of people and places
Difficulty retrieving words; frequent “it was on the tip of my tongue” moments
Low self-esteem or negative self-image as a result of these difficulties
These symptoms can have a negative impact on a child’s development and self-esteem, causing anxiety and frustration around learning. Sometimes, that frustration produces anger and children may begin to act aggressively.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically affects attention and/or activity levels. An individual with ADHD may exhibit issues with inattention, hyperactive behaviors, or a combination of the two. The most frequent emotional symptom of ADHD is trouble concentrating, but inattention difficulties may also manifest as:
Trouble staying focused on a task
Trouble managing time
Being easily distracted
Frequently misplacing items
The hyperactive type may manifest as:
Fidgeting or squirming; difficulty sitting still
Always “on the go”
Excessive talking and/or talking out of turn
Difficulty waiting their turn; tendency to take over tasks from others
Again, an individual may experience symptoms of only inattention, only hyperactivity, or a combination of both. Like dyslexia, ADHD is also commonly diagnosed at a young age, but it may persist into adulthood as well. It often co-occurs with other conditions, such as learning disabilities like dyslexia or anxiety disorders.
When dyslexia and ADHD occur together
These two conditions don’t cause each other, but it is possible for the symptoms of one to exacerbate the symptoms of the other. For instance, a person with dyslexia may need more time and focus to read a piece of text, and inattention or hyperactivity symptoms of ADHD can make that more difficult in stressful situations. People with ADHD may also become easily distracted and overlook details, which can make completing a task that dyslexia already makes challenging become even more so. These co-occurring conditions can impact a child’s school experience, potentially leading to lower self-esteem, dyslexia anxiety, or other painful feelings as youngsters reach adolescence.
Because of this potential symptom overlap, one condition can sometimes be mistaken for the other at first—especially in children. Finally, it’s not uncommon for people with dyslexia and/or ADHD—particularly when untreated—to have trouble succeeding in school or at work because of their symptoms, which can lead to low self-esteem and even child anxiety and/or depression. Children and adolescents who are depressed tend to keep their intense feelings to themselves. As a result, parents misinterpret those powerful and terrifying emotions. That’s why seeking support for symptoms and helping children develop a positive self-image can be crucial.
Treatment options for ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety
There’s currently no medication that can treat or cure dyslexia. Instead, children or adults with this condition may work with a specialist who can help them identify strategies to improve their daily functioning. In contrast, there are medications available to help people with ADHD manage their symptoms. Medication for ADHD can be significantly helpful to some people but makes very little difference to others, so it’s usually important to work closely with a qualified healthcare provider to find out what might be best for you or your child.
There are also a variety of accommodations that someone with either condition may be able to request at school and/or work that can make it easier for them to accomplish tasks. In addition, therapy can be beneficial to someone experiencing dyslexia and/or ADHD. Research suggests that certain therapy modalities—such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—may help those with ADHD in particular manage their symptoms. This and other types of general talk therapy may also be able to help an individual manage any distress they experience as a result of their diagnosis and rebuild their self-esteem if their symptoms and related challenges have negatively affected it. If you’re a parent who is having trouble adjusting to or coping with your child’s diagnosis of dyslexia and/or ADHD or related challenges, a therapist can also provide a safe space where you can express and process these very powerful feelings.
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How online therapy can help from a very young age
If you’re interested in seeking the support of a therapist to help you cope with a diagnosis or symptoms of a condition that affects your or your child’s mental health, you have options. Those who would feel more comfortable meeting with a mental health care provider in person can search for one in their local area. Or, those who would find it more convenient to meet with a provider virtually from the comfort of home can consider online therapy, since research suggests that both formats can offer similar benefits.
With a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing and help you cultivate positive feelings. Online therapy may also be more cost-effective than in-person sessions, meaning that it can be a good option for those facing financial constraints as well. For client reviews of BetterHelp counselors, see below.
Counselor reviews
“I have been working with Carolyn for 6 months now, and have tremendously benefited from her counseling as I support my daughter for Anorexia. Anorexia is a very complex mind-body illness and the family can play a very important role in the recovery by educating ourselves and understanding her behavior. This allows me to use correct words with her, and watch by own behavior with her so I am supporting her in a healthy manner, and not enabling her illness further. Additionally, my own stress has been very difficult as I watch my sweet daughter suffer, so I had been in need of finding coping skills for myself. Carolyn's expertise, her very compassionate but clear guidelines and feedback to me have made be more confident and capable in dealing with this difficult illness. I am finding a lot of strength from her therapy, and most importantly I am handling my daughter better and can see the difference in my interactions with her. I am thankful to Carolyn for coming into my life when I needed someone to guide me through this. In addition to our weekly video chats, I am able to send her quick texts on the BetterHelp app if an issue arises and I need her thoughts, and Carolyn replies back very quickly with more tips to help me. I have recommended BetterHelp to friends as to a great therapist like Carolyn would not have been possible for me without this platform... while I also do this from the convenience of my time and home. Thank you Carolyn, and thank you BetterHelp for being here for me!”
“Tammi has made such a difference in my life. Had I not had her help I’m pretty sure I would’ve lost all contact with my 19-year-old daughter who chose to live with her father. She understands teenagers and moms of teenagers! So kind, wise, experienced, compassionate, and level-headed, I can’t say enough good about her!!”
Takeaway
Dyslexia and ADHD are separate conditions, but it’s not uncommon for them to co-occur in the same individual, and symptoms of the two conditions often have some overlap. If you’re experiencing signs of a mental health condition, learning disability, or related challenge, speaking with a doctor, therapist, or specialist may be a helpful first step.
Is anxiety common with dyslexia?
Evidence suggests that anxiety and other mental health concerns are about twice as likely to occur in children with learning disorders than in the general population. While this effect has been studied, schools and families often struggle to help children manage the mental health burdens of dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
Children with learning disorders may need help boosting their confidence and self-esteem to continue to apply themselves to their schoolwork. It can be draining and challenging for a child to remain motivated when they feel that their best effort might still not be enough to reach their peers' level and meet their parents' expectations. Helping them build confidence will likely minimize frustration and maximize success when managing dyslexia.
Can stress and anxiety cause dyslexia?
There is evidence to suggest that children who are exposed to high stress at a very young age or whose mothers are excessively stressed while pregnant with them may be at a higher risk for dyslexia. Early stress triggers can significantly alter the course of normal brain development, disrupting brain systems and developmental resources typically used for developing fundamental skills like reading. The research supporting the stress-development imbalance is preliminary, but scientists have already noted changes to brain structure and biological function that may make it harder for children to develop reading skills.
Can dyslexia affect your mental health?
Evidence suggests that children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities may experience a significant adverse effect on their mental health. Children can have their whole self-concept affected, meaning they may not believe they can succeed academically or be worthy of completing difficult cognitive challenges. If not managed in childhood, those adverse effects may develop into serious difficulties later in life.
For both children and adults, impacts on confidence and self-esteem are likely. One study found that teens and young adults with learning disabilities report higher rates of suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety disorders than their peers without learning disabilities. If unaddressed, the adverse effects of learning disabilities on mental health may worsen. The same study found that adults aged 30 to 44 had even higher rates of distress than the younger cohort, indicating that mental health issues may become more severe over time.
Can dyslexia be affected by stress?
High stress levels likely have mixed effects on dyslexia. On the one hand, if a person with dyslexia encounters a task that is difficult for them, but they believe they can accomplish it, stress may help motivate them to face the challenge with a sense of confidence. On the other hand, stress can cause anxiety and worry as the person anticipates the task's difficulty, which may significantly lower their performance.
The International Dyslexia Association indicates that the dyslexia-stress-anxiety connection represents a balance between motivating stressors and those that cause a person to avoid or shy away from a task. In children, it is important to address their self-concept and self-esteem to ensure they are tackling challenges they may not feel they can complete. The more stress kids feel, the more they are likely to avoid a task, and it is important to develop resilience to overcome adverse stress.
Do dyslexic people overthink?
People with dyslexia may overthink, especially when faced with anxiety about their condition. Dyslexia can significantly impact a person’s self-esteem and overall well-being, and the perceived limitations of the condition can lead to anger, depression, and frequent worry. It is likely that people with dyslexia think about their disability frequently and may need help from others to overcome feeling like they cannot read at the same level as their peers. The stress kids face from dyslexia can significantly hinder their ability to mange the condition, making stress-management techniques a vital part of treating dyslexia.
Are dyslexic people more sensitive?
People with dyslexia are likely to be more sensitive about their specific learning disability, but there is no evidence to suggest they are more sensitive overall. Dyslexia can cause serious problems with self-esteem, confidence, and self-image. Those with the condition may be more sensitive to judgment, rejection, or perceived “othering” due to their dyslexia. In adults, this may lead them away from seeking support or treatment for their condition, and children may struggle to engage in schoolwork or complete the tasks that will help them manage their dyslexia.
How do people with dyslexia feel?
People with dyslexia experience several adverse effects on their mental health and overall well-being. Adults and children alike are impacted, and a significant portion of helping people manage dyslexia is helping them manage the burdens on self-esteem and self-image. Those with dyslexia are more likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or depression, and they may struggle to maintain a healthy self-concept in both childhood and as adults.
The emotional burdens of dyslexia and anxiety are sometimes overlooked in favor of treating the underlying reading challenges. However, managing dyslexia requires persistence and determination and may require that a person understands that they will always experience limitations. In practice, this may mean allowing themselves more time to complete reading passages or taking other proactive steps, but when they struggle to remain confident, it is less likely they will be willing to make the changes necessary to manage their dyslexia.
What is the emotional side of dyslexia?
The emotional challenges of dyslexia are often overlooked in favor of treating the condition itself. Recently, more focus has been given to the anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that are common in both adults and children with dyslexia. Addressing the emotional weight of dyslexia is an important part of managing the condition. A person with dyslexia may need to apply considerable effort to complete reading tasks, and it is important to maintain self-confidence and motivation to make it through. Those with the disorder often struggle with feelings of inferiority in more areas than just their reading ability, such as believing that they are inherently unintelligent or incapable.
Can dyslexia cause depression and anxiety?
Children with dyslexia are at a significantly higher risk of developing internalizing and externalizing disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or behavior problems. Those whose emotional challenges go unrecognized and unmanaged are likely at a higher risk of developing a chronic anxiety disorder, like generalized anxiety disorder or social anxiety disorder. People with dyslexia are prone to a low self-image and may see themselves as inferior to those around them. They may dread everyday events or struggle to manage stress and negativity in parts of their lives not directly affected by dyslexia, leading to higher rates of depression.
How many people with dyslexia have anxiety?
Evidence suggests that nearly 30% of children with dyslexia develop anxiety disorders. Children become aware of how important reading is at a very young age, and the stress associated with not being able to complete age-appropriate reading tasks can lead to high levels of anxiety. They may struggle to manage the stress associated with reading and will likely need help to reduce stress when encountering reading tasks. If left unmanaged, the emotional impact of dyslexia can lead to low self-image, anger, and depression. The emotional symptoms will likely worsen in adulthood if dyslexia is not treated in childhood.
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