Many people find that ADHD and anxiety go hand in hand. In fact, for lots of women, ADHD tends to disguise itself as anxiety. Women who assume they’ve been struggling with anxiety sometimes find that their “anxiety” symptoms were actually warning signs of ADHD. It can take a long time to receive the proper diagnosis.
The two disorders do have some overlapping common symptoms. But why does ADHD so often feed anxiety in women? And why do women have distinct struggles with these disorders that are unique from men’s experiences?
The differences often come down to socialization and gendered expectations. Here’s why ADHD symptoms can exacerbate anxiety in women.
Difficulty Planning
Women are often expected to be skilled at planning. Furthermore, people don’t just expect women to be able to plan for themselves. Women are also often tasked with planning for their entire households. Therefore, the burden of planning things for other people is typically heavier for women than it is for men.
Of course, for women with ADHD, this pressure can feel even worse. Planning may not come naturally, but with so much on her plate, a woman with ADHD can become increasingly anxious.
Nervous Energy
ADHD can present differently in men and women. Women are more likely to deal with symptoms like inattentiveness, while men are more likely to exhibit symptoms like hyperactivity. But this does not mean that women with ADHD don’t experience hyperactivity or struggle to find outlets for their energy.
In fact, all of this pent up nervous energy can feel a lot like anxiety – and sometimes, it can seem like the two are one and the same.
Trouble Concentrating
When you have a task that you need to focus on, and your attention keeps wandering, it’s natural to start feeling a bit anxious over whether you’ll be able to get it done. For women with ADHD, especially those who are trying to overcome inattentiveness, having trouble concentrating can make anxiety feel even stronger.
If you know that you have to get something done, especially with a deadline looming, it can feel like there’s a ticking clock egging you on. Yet try as you might, you can’t force yourself to focus. Worrying about the consequences of incomplete tasks can definitely feed anxiety. This is a daily struggle for many women with ADHD.
Struggling to Start Tasks
People with ADHD tend to have trouble starting tasks altogether. This is true of people with anxiety as well. For example, people with anxiety, as well as people with ADHD, might feel like they need certain conditions met before they can start a task. If not, they simply won’t feel motivated, or they might worry that they won’t be capable of completing the task correctly.
Women with ADHD might find themselves staring down a long to-do list, wondering why they can’t simply get these tasks done. The thought can be anxiety-inducing, especially when other people are depending on you.
Covering Up Symptoms By Overachieving
Women with ADHD are often surprised to learn that they have the disorder, partially because their experiences may differ from men they know with this diagnosis — and partially because they’ve been quite successful in spite of their symptoms. Lots of women with ADHD have even dealt with perfectionist tendencies and have pushed themselves harder than their peers to succeed in order to hide their symptoms and keep up. However, perfectionism also serves as fuel for anxiety.
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Are you wondering if ADHD is worsening your anxiety? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for women’s counseling.