Finding a diagnosis can be a lot like detective work. Many factors must be considered before deciding whether it’s a mental or physical illness. And even then, practitioners should stay open to new evidence and input. Some disorders can be challenging to differentiate—case in point: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety in children.
These two common conditions share many symptoms. Particularly with children, the potential overlap gets blurry at times. Then, of course, you have the possibility of comorbidity. Recent studies found, for example, that as many as one-third of children with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. In other words, clarity is crucial.
How ADHD and Anxiety Are Similar in Children
Children with either ADHD or anxiety or both may display signs like:
- Inability to focus or concentrate
- Struggling with schoolwork
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritability
- High levels of stress
- Socially awkward
- Difficulty processing concepts
The list goes on, of course, but you can see why this is so daunting. Unlike adults, children cannot articulate subtle nuances in what they are feeling. Without that input, mental health professionals must rely more on observation.
How ADHD and Anxiety Are Different in Children
This task requires questions—lots of questions. Here are some guidelines to get you into the proper perspective:
- Anxiety is often prompted by worry or perhaps a sudden major life change. ADHD is a disorder related to the way your child’s brain functions. So, when symptoms arise that could be either condition, discern if an external cause is present. If so, that leans in the direction of anxiety.
- Children often struggle with schoolwork. A big issue is being distracted because, let’s face it, they’d all rather be doing something else. Thus, if your child is distracted because of the conditions around them (noise, smells, etc.), ADHD is more likely. If they are afraid to fail and are looking for ways to procrastinate, anxiety is the probable culprit.
- Keep an eye out for the inability to stay organized enough to accomplish tasks. Generally speaking, this points toward ADHD.
- A restless child with ADHD will be unable to sit still. A restless child with anxiety will sit still but is clearly working hard to manage their nervous energy.
- Anxiety can run in the family—genetically and/or environmentally. Hence, if you or someone else related to them is struggling with an anxiety disorder, this increases the odds that your child’s behavior is also anxiety-related.
- If your child is being treated for either ADHD or anxiety, but certain symptoms persist, suggest that their therapist explore the possibility of both disorders being present.
How You Can Help With Either Diagnosis
As a concerned parent, you can help with your child’s treatment by making sure there is carryover between treatment sessions. Some suggestions include:
Teach Them Breathing Techniques
Both disorders can be better managed by mindfulness. This is not a simple concept for children, so you can narrow it down to teaching them “calm breathing.” They can visualize blowing up a balloon to get them into a rhythm of long deep breaths.
Identify Triggers
Carefully monitor what stresses them and why. Factor this into your interactions and talk to their teachers about how they can join in.
Help Them Talk Back to Their Inner Voice
Guide your child to understand that the voice in their head is not always right. It says things out of worry, and a child can disagree and make other choices. Help them develop the skills they need to take back some control of their lives.
Most importantly, connect with a skilled and experienced therapist who will be there every step of the way. I invite you to reach out and learn more today.
