Ask a therapist > ADHD > If I am displaying symptoms of both ADHD and General Anxiety Disorder, which is diagnosed/treated?

If I am displaying symptoms of both ADHD and General Anxiety Disorder, which is diagnosed/treated?

I've always had a very hyperactive mind and anxiety, to an extent. I feel like my mind never shuts up, I have horrible memory, I struggle to focus on assignments, I often forget small tasks after getting caught up on another important task I needed to do, I get so stuck in my head that I forget to be present, and this sometimes leads to anxious thought processes and depressive episodes. I often fidget, as I feel like my body needs to be moving as fast as my mind, if that makes sense. I often cannot sleep at night because my thoughts are racing, etc. I've heard differing opinions regarding me having anxiety versus ADHD. It seems the root of the problem is ADHD? How do I articulate this clearly to my physician and who should I be going to in order to get a proper diagnosis?
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Asked by Bri
ADHD
Answered
09/28/2022

Hi Bri, it is very nice to meet with you today, and hope we can find some answers and solutions for your symptoms of hyperactive thoughts, potentially some anxiety, racing thoughts affecting sleep, and difficulty managing task.

These symptoms can be very frustrating. ADHD or ADD can be assessed with  Vanderbilt screening or other screenings to rule out the condition the doctor will ask you about symptoms related to the category and rule out other conditions too. Unfortunately, much of the time anxiety and ADHD are comorbid - meaning they like each other and they like depression as well. So if ADHD onset early and was never treated you can develop other conditions as well. If you feel the root cause is ADHD/ADD start with the symptoms and share those in detail with your doctor, the duration/onset, and when these symptoms occur. Your doctor then can screen you for any underlying conditions such as anxiety and depression with some assessment screenings. Often times, if the ADHD/ADD is treated, these other symptoms potentially dissipate or decrease and that would be the goal.

Also, learning some coping strategies and cognitive behavioral skills will help you manage and find alternatives/solutions for your symptoms. To help you sleep try some meditation or something self-soothing to you and calming to help you fall asleep faster. Do you do better with routine or structure? This could also be helpful for you to help you stay focused and grounded in the task you are trying to complete.

I would start by making an appointment with a psychologist and/or physician or psychotherapist.

It was great talking to you today and look forward to helping guide you to help you feel better in relation to the root causes of your symptoms. I can send you some material on coping skills to get started as well. A balanced diet, sleep, and exercise are key to keeping your body balanced and equilibrium state of mind. When the mind races it is difficult to be in the moment actually able to process what you are trying to learn or accomplish.

Take care, Ms. Harmon-Rodriguez, LPCC-S

(LPCC-S, LSW)