Can ADHD cause memory loss? Discover the connection between ADHD and working memory or short-term memory deficits. Learn how to differentiate ADHD-related memory problems from other causes of memory loss.

ADHD and Memory Loss: Uncovering the Connection

If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chances are you’ve dealt with forgetfulness throughout your life. However, when memory problems start to feel different or more persistent, it’s important to understand the potential causes. ADHD can indeed contribute to memory-related challenges, but it’s not the only possible explanation.

Understanding ADHD’s Impact on Memory

ADHD can affect two distinct types of memory: working memory and long-term memory. Working memory is the part of your memory that allows you to turn information into action, such as remembering instructions long enough to complete a task. Studies have shown that working memory is less effective in individuals with ADHD compared to those without the condition.

As for long-term memory, people with ADHD often struggle on tests of this type of memory. However, this is not necessarily due to memories being lost, but rather a result of how information is processed and stored in the first place. Distractions and disorganized processing can prevent memories from being formed in an effective manner.

Differentiating ADHD-Related Memory Loss from Other Causes

While ADHD can contribute to memory problems, it’s important to consider other potential causes as well. Memory loss can have a variety of underlying reasons, including:

• Mental health issues like stress, trauma, or depression
• Lack of sleep or sleep apnea
• Vitamin deficiencies, particularly B1 and B12
• Alcohol and drug use
• Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Hormonal changes like menopause
• Thyroid dysfunction

Identifying the Cause of Memory Loss

To determine the underlying cause of your memory problems, consider the following factors:

1. When did the memory issues start? ADHD symptoms typically begin in childhood, while other causes may arise later in life.
2. Have there been any recent changes in your life, such as a new medication, a stressful event, or a head injury?
3. Do you have any other symptoms, such as headaches, vision problems, or muscle weakness, that could indicate a physical cause?
4. What types of things are you forgetting? ADHD-related memory problems may involve misplacing everyday items, while dementia-related memory loss may include difficulty with familiar routes or recent events.

Seeking Medical Attention for Memory Concerns

If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening memory problems, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider. They can help identify the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, memory loss may be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as a brain injury, infection, or neurological disorder, and may require immediate medical attention.

Managing ADHD-Related Memory Challenges

While ADHD-related memory problems can be frustrating, there are strategies you can implement to help improve your memory and cognitive function. These may include:

• Developing organizational systems and using external aids like calendars, reminders, and checklists
• Practicing mindfulness and meditation to improve focus and attention
• Engaging in regular physical activity, which can enhance cognitive function
• Ensuring you get adequate sleep and managing stress levels
• Considering the use of ADHD medications, which can help improve working memory and attention

Addressing Memory Loss Beyond ADHD

If your memory problems are not primarily related to ADHD, your healthcare provider may recommend various treatments based on the underlying cause. This could include lifestyle changes, medication adjustments, vitamin supplementation, or referrals to specialists for conditions like dementia, thyroid disorders, or neurological issues.

By understanding the potential causes of memory loss and working closely with your healthcare team, you can take steps to address the problem and maintain your cognitive function to the best of your ability.

ADHD and Memory Loss: What to Know

Written by Stephanie Langmaid

• ADHD and Memory
• What Causes Memory Loss?
• How Can You Tell if It’s ADHD or Something Else?
• ADHD and Dementia
• When to See Your Doctor

If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), forgetfulness is probably something you’ve dealt with your whole life. But maybe your memory problems are starting to feel different. You’re forgetting things more often. You’re losing the thread of conversations or grasping for the right word.

There are a lot of reasons for memory loss. Some of them are serious, some are easy to treat. Here are some ways to tell whether what you’re experiencing is ADHD, or something else.

When you have ADHD, memory problems tend to show up in ways like missing appointments, or forgetting where you put your phone or keys. ADHD affects two different kinds of memory:

Working memory. This is the part of your memory that allows you to turn information you learn into action, for example: remembering instructions long enough to finish a task. Studies show working memory is less effective in children and adults who have ADHD than in those who don’t.

Long-term memory. People with ADHD often don’t do well on tests of long-term memory. But scientists believe that has to do with how they process information. When you have ADHD, distractions may prevent you from taking in information, or your brain may store it in a disorganized way. Memories aren’t lost, they aren’t made in the first place.

If you’re noticing memory problems, your fears may go straight to dementia. But many other things – including normal aging – can cause memory loss. Other causes can include:

• Mental health issues, including stress, trauma, and depression
• Lack of sleep or sleep apnea
• Not enough of certain vitamins, particularly B1 and B12
• Alcohol and drug use
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including:
  • Antidepressants
  • Antihistamines
  • Narcotic pain killers
  • Drugs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, incontinence, and seizures
• Menopause
• Underactive or overactive thyroid

If you can find out and treat the underlying cause, your memory may go back to normal.

More serious conditions can cause memory loss, too, including:

• Brain injury from an accident, infection, stroke, or tumor
• Illnesses that involve the brain, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, and HIV

If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor about your memory problems.

Memory loss can look and feel the same whether it’s a symptom of ADHD or something else. But there are some clues that can help you and your doctor figure out what’s causing it.

When did the problem start?ADHD symptoms start in childhood. If your memory loss is a new problem, it could have a different cause. Most people lose some amount of brain function as a natural part of aging, starting in your 30s and 40s. Your brain’s function shrinks even more by age 60. Your brain goes through physical changes, and brain cells have a harder time communicating. You may learn new information more slowly and have trouble with multitasking.

Dementia usually starts to appear after age 65. Symptoms tend to start slowly and gradually get worse until you’re no longer able to manage your daily life.

Has something changed? ADHD symptoms don’t get worse over time, but they can become more noticeable under certain circumstances. If you’ve just retired, losing the structure of the workday can cause old problems to crop up again, like managing your time and focusing on a task long enough to finish it. The hormone changes of menopause can highlight ADHD symptoms.

Have you recently been through a stressful situation or traumatic event? Did you hit your head in a fall? Did you start a new medication? Identifying changes in your life may point you to the reason for your memory loss.

Do you have other symptoms? If your memory loss has a physical cause, you’re likely to have other issues, too. Do you have headaches? Blurred vision? Muscle weakness or paralysis? Those could mean a problem with your brain, like an injury, blood clot, or tumor. See your doctor or get emergency care, especially if these symptoms come on suddenly.

Thyroid problems can cause low energy and weight gain. A B12 deficiency can cause balance problems.

What kind of things do you forget? With ADHD, you may not remember where your car keys are because you were distracted when you put them down. But with dementia, you may be driving somewhere you’ve been a hundred times, and suddenly get lost.

In the early stages of dementia, your working memory may be fine, but you don’t remember recent events, like a conversation you had earlier in the day.

Normal aging can make it harder for you to learn new things, so you may not recall the name of someone you just met.

More and more often, older people are going to the doctor because they think they’re developing dementia, only to find out they have ADHD. The learning disorder is believed to be underdiagnosed in adults. The standards used to identify ADHD in kids don’t apply as well to older people. And over time, some people get very good at making up for their processing problems.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the earliest stage of dementia. It shares many symptoms with ADHD, but there are some important differences.

People with ADHD and people with MCI may both have:

• Problems with so-called executive functions, like paying attention and processing information
• Forgetfulness
• Trouble with impulse control
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Anxiety

But the conditions are also different in many ways:

• Symptoms of ADHD begin in childhood. MCI starts when you’re older.
• Symptoms of ADHD generally stay the same or become less noticeable in adulthood. MCI gets worse over time.
• People with ADHD are usually fully aware of their memory problems and can describe their symptoms and notice changes. With dementia, it’s more likely to be a caregiver who first spots the problem.
• Medications that can improve the brain function of people with MCI don’t work on ADHD. And the stimulants that help with ADHD have no effect on dementia.

There’s some evidence that people with ADHD may be more likely to develop dementia as they age, particularly the disease called Lewy body dementia. People with both disorders share some of the same brain chemistry differences. And some behaviors that are common in people with ADHD, like smoking and drinking too much alcohol, are known to put you at risk for cognitive decline.

But the jury is still out on whether people with ADHD actually get dementia any more often than people without ADHD.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about your memory loss, especially if it’s gone on for some time or if it’s affecting your daily life.

They can do several kinds of tests to try to get to the bottom of it. You may get:

• Mental status tests, where you’re asked to do things like repeat a list of words, name objects, follow multistep commands and answer questions about the past
• Neurological tests
• Imaging tests like an MRI
• Blood or urine tests

Many causes of memory loss are temporary and treatable. If it turns out your memory issues are a symptom of your ADHD, there are still things you can do. Your doctor may adjust your medication or try a different one. Or you may try behavioral therapy or counseling.

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ADHD and Memory Loss: What to Know

Written by Stephanie Langmaid

• ADHD and Memory
• What Causes Memory Loss?
• How Can You Tell if It’s ADHD or Something Else?
• ADHD and Dementia
• When to See Your Doctor

If you have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), forgetfulness is probably something you’ve dealt with your whole life. But maybe your memory problems are starting to feel different. You’re forgetting things more often. You’re losing the thread of conversations or grasping for the right word.

There are a lot of reasons for memory loss. Some of them are serious, some are easy to treat. Here are some ways to tell whether what you’re experiencing is ADHD, or something else.

When you have ADHD, memory problems tend to show up in ways like missing appointments, or forgetting where you put your phone or keys. ADHD affects two different kinds of memory:

Working memory. This is the part of your memory that allows you to turn information you learn into action, for example: remembering instructions long enough to finish a task. Studies show working memory is less effective in children and adults who have ADHD than in those who don’t.

Long-term memory. People with ADHD often don’t do well on tests of long-term memory. But scientists believe that has to do with how they process information. When you have ADHD, distractions may prevent you from taking in information, or your brain may store it in a disorganized way. Memories aren’t lost, they aren’t made in the first place.

If you’re noticing memory problems, your fears may go straight to dementia. But many other things – including normal aging – can cause memory loss. Other causes can include:

• Mental health issues, including stress, trauma, and depression
• Lack of sleep or sleep apnea
• Not enough of certain vitamins, particularly B1 and B12
• Alcohol and drug use
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications, including:
  • Antidepressants
  • Antihistamines
  • Narcotic pain killers
  • Drugs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, incontinence, and seizures
• Menopause
• Underactive or overactive thyroid

If you can find out and treat the underlying cause, your memory may go back to normal.

More serious conditions can cause memory loss, too, including:

• Brain injury from an accident, infection, stroke, or tumor
• Illnesses that involve the brain, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, and HIV

If you have any of these conditions, talk to your doctor about your memory problems.

Memory loss can look and feel the same whether it’s a symptom of ADHD or something else. But there are some clues that can help you and your doctor figure out what’s causing it.

When did the problem start?ADHD symptoms start in childhood. If your memory loss is a new problem, it could have a different cause. Most people lose some amount of brain function as a natural part of aging, starting in your 30s and 40s. Your brain’s function shrinks even more by age 60. Your brain goes through physical changes, and brain cells have a harder time communicating. You may learn new information more slowly and have trouble with multitasking.

Dementia usually starts to appear after age 65. Symptoms tend to start slowly and gradually get worse until you’re no longer able to manage your daily life.

Has something changed? ADHD symptoms don’t get worse over time, but they can become more noticeable under certain circumstances. If you’ve just retired, losing the structure of the workday can cause old problems to crop up again, like managing your time and focusing on a task long enough to finish it. The hormone changes of menopause can highlight ADHD symptoms.

Have you recently been through a stressful situation or traumatic event? Did you hit your head in a fall? Did you start a new medication? Identifying changes in your life may point you to the reason for your memory loss.

Do you have other symptoms? If your memory loss has a physical cause, you’re likely to have other issues, too. Do you have headaches? Blurred vision? Muscle weakness or paralysis? Those could mean a problem with your brain, like an injury, blood clot, or tumor. See your doctor or get emergency care, especially if these symptoms come on suddenly.

Thyroid problems can cause low energy and weight gain. A B12 deficiency can cause balance problems.

What kind of things do you forget? With ADHD, you may not remember where your car keys are because you were distracted when you put them down. But with dementia, you may be driving somewhere you’ve been a hundred times, and suddenly get lost.

In the early stages of dementia, your working memory may be fine, but you don’t remember recent events, like a conversation you had earlier in the day.

Normal aging can make it harder for you to learn new things, so you may not recall the name of someone you just met.

More and more often, older people are going to the doctor because they think they’re developing dementia, only to find out they have ADHD. The learning disorder is believed to be underdiagnosed in adults. The standards used to identify ADHD in kids don’t apply as well to older people. And over time, some people get very good at making up for their processing problems.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the earliest stage of dementia. It shares many symptoms with ADHD, but there are some important differences.

People with ADHD and people with MCI may both have:

• Problems with so-called executive functions, like paying attention and processing information
• Forgetfulness
• Trouble with impulse control
• Sleep problems
• Depression
• Anxiety

But the conditions are also different in many ways:

• Symptoms of ADHD begin in childhood. MCI starts when you’re older.
• Symptoms of ADHD generally stay the same or become less noticeable in adulthood. MCI gets worse over time.
• People with ADHD are usually fully aware of their memory problems and can describe their symptoms and notice changes. With dementia, it’s more likely to be a caregiver who first spots the problem.
• Medications that can improve the brain function of people with MCI don’t work on ADHD. And the stimulants that help with ADHD have no effect on dementia.

There’s some evidence that people with ADHD may be more likely to develop dementia as they age, particularly the disease called Lewy body dementia. People with both disorders share some of the same brain chemistry differences. And some behaviors that are common in people with ADHD, like smoking and drinking too much alcohol, are known to put you at risk for cognitive decline.

But the jury is still out on whether people with ADHD actually get dementia any more often than people without ADHD.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about your memory loss, especially if it’s gone on for some time or if it’s affecting your daily life.

They can do several kinds of tests to try to get to the bottom of it. You may get:

• Mental status tests, where you’re asked to do things like repeat a list of words, name objects, follow multistep commands and answer questions about the past
• Neurological tests
• Imaging tests like an MRI
• Blood or urine tests

Many causes of memory loss are temporary and treatable. If it turns out your memory issues are a symptom of your ADHD, there are still things you can do. Your doctor may adjust your medication or try a different one. Or you may try behavioral therapy or counseling.

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what you need to know – Drink-Drink

07/07/2022 DrinkDrinkAdmin

Contents

• What effect does ADHD have on memory?
  • ADHD is not autism
  • ADHD and working memory
  • ADHD and long-term memory
• ADHD and memory loss
• ADHD memory tips
• How can I treat the causes of memory problems associated with ADHD?
  • Treatment
  • therapy
• Conclusion

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a cognitive disorder that is usually diagnosed in childhood. The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD.

People with ADHD perceive and process information differently than neurotypical people. If you have this disorder, you may find that forgetfulness occurs more frequently and you may find it more difficult to perform tasks that require the use of short-term memory. ADHD can also affect your long-term memory.

Researchers are still working to understand the exact impact of ADHD on the memory of children and adults. Let’s take a look at what we know so far.

What effect does ADHD have on memory?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can cause adults and children to have difficulty concentrating.

Sometimes people with ADHD may seem inattentive and forget important things more often. This is defined as the inattentive type of ADHD. They may also interrupt or express destructive behavior more often. This is known as ADHD of the hyperactive-impulsive type.

The most common version of ADHD is a combination of these symptoms, known as the combined hyperactive-impulsive/inattentive type.

ADHD is not autism

ADHD is not the same as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is a separate condition.

Both conditions are possible, but each has its own set of diagnostic criteria. Related behaviors can also manifest differently, even among people with one or both of the conditions.

Each of these types of ADHD is the result of a biological cause related to brain activity. The frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for impulse control, attention and memory, develops more slowly if you have ADHD.

ADHD and working memory

Working memory is a small amount of information that your mind holds when you are working on a task.

Think of it as the part of your brain that holds the phone number while you dial it. Working memory stores a little bit of data at a time while you’re working on something, “copying” data from one place and “pasting” it somewhere else before forgetting what it was.

One 2020 study showed that ADHD affects working memory in the majority of children who have it. A 2013 review of research supported the idea that these influences continue into adulthood.

Working memory is closely related to intelligence and learning ability, so people with ADHD can be unfairly judged in terms of their learning ability. Without a strong working memory, it becomes important to develop survival skills and alternative learning strategies that rely less on this brain function.

ADHD can also affect how a child’s brain perceives time itself. Time perception is related to working memory. This may also partly explain why people with ADHD have more trouble getting to places on time.

A small 2007 study examined the perception of time in 40 children with ADHD and 40 children without ADHD. Children with ADHD found it harder to perceive the difference between short, medium, and long periods of time.

ADHD and long-term memory

What is less understood is the effect of ADHD on long-term memory and memory loss.

A 2013 review of research reviewed the medical literature that studied adults with ADHD. The authors concluded that ADHD more often limits the ability of long-term memory. But this review of research also found that this limitation is due to the learning difficulties caused by ADHD, and not necessarily the effects ADHD has on your brain.

In other words, a review of research has shown that children with ADHD tend to have trouble developing the same long-term memory skills as children without ADHD, which can then carry over into adulthood without additional coping or compensation mechanisms.

ADHD and memory loss

The relationship between ADHD and memory loss is another area of ​​uncertainty in the ADHD research literature.

A 2017 study review found that it is not clear to researchers whether having ADHD in adulthood increases the risk of developing dementia or other memory-related cognitive disorders earlier in life.

ADHD and dementia appear to have similar effects on the brain, making this a complex question with many variables. The 2017 study review above discussed the overlapping symptoms of ADHD and a type of dementia called mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Because of the difficulty in distinguishing the exact cause of MCI and ADHD symptoms, such as more frequent forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating for long periods of time, the line between ADHD and dementia symptoms in adulthood can often be unclear.

ADHD Memory Tips

Some of the behaviors associated with ADHD can be changed through lifestyle changes to help you adjust better to the rhythm of work and family life.

• Try to avoid certain ingredients in your diet. FD&C Red No. 40 (a food coloring ingredient) and sodium benzoate have been linked to increased hyperactive behavior in children. Further research is needed to confirm this.
• Try to avoid allergy triggers that can affect brain function. If you suspect that exposure to an allergen is making your ADHD symptoms worse, consider getting an allergy test to avoid triggers.
• Look at ADHD management tools. Try an app or calendar that keeps track of dates and times of events, a key basket, or a charging station where you can store your devices. This can help reduce the stress you may feel trying to remember everything you need to remember.
• Consider cutting out caffeine. Try replacing caffeinated beverages with an herbal tea containing soothing ingredients. Ginseng and chamomile tea can be a good substitute to start your morning focused and refreshed. Some studies show that drinking tea can improve your memory.
• Pay attention to herbal supplements. These types of supplements can help you reduce the stress you may be experiencing due to ADHD behavior.

These tips do not replace a treatment plan that you and your doctor or ADHD specialist develop, but they can help with behaviors or memory problems that you think are interfering with your daily activities.

How can I treat the causes of memory problems associated with ADHD?

Medicines to manage ADHD behavior can also improve your working memory. These medications aim to improve your focus and make daily tasks less daunting.

Treatment

Stimulant drugs are widely prescribed for the treatment of ADHD.

A small 2012 study showed that stimulant drugs can help strengthen the connection of the frontal cortex with other parts of the brain, improving working memory.

Methylphenidate (Deutrana) and Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin) are two drugs that have been studied for their effects on working memory. small study 2012 above.

therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another form of treatment for ADHD.

CBT is about changing your thought patterns to help you manage your emotions and behavior. CBT can improve behaviors related to your perception of time and working memory, such as helping you get to events on time.

CBT can also help with goal setting, planning, and achieving goals. It all has to do with your working memory.

Conclusion

Sometimes people with ADHD have difficulty remembering certain things because they perceive and process information differently.

If the person experiencing memory loss problems is a child, the symptom may improve as their brain continues its natural development. This symptom of ADHD can also be changed or improved with a successful treatment or management plan developed with a healthcare professional.

Health

why they are connected and how to overcome them

ADHD and anxiety are closely related. Daily and everyday life with ADHD symptoms is full of stress and anxiety; Not surprisingly, anxiety disorder is the most common comorbidity in ADHD. This is especially true in times of turbulence, when the usual coping mechanisms do not work. How to understand what is the cause of your problems and deal with them?

Tags:

Psychology

Psychological problems

Research and statistics

Christopher Ott | Unsplash

Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD or ADHD) have a stressful life. The nature of this disorder makes daily life full of hidden tension; any uncertainty causes anxiety. If you don’t have ADHD, then you can’t imagine how much anxiety the simple thought “What should I make for dinner” causes? or an attempt not to be late for the airport (most often, in fear of being late, we arrive there 4 hours in advance). The pandemic, and then the financial and political crisis, further exacerbate everyday stress, adding an additional unknown to the equation of our lives. A huge storm cloud filled with uncertainty feeds us every hour with a feeling of discomfort and anxiety that cannot be ignored.

Contents of article

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Is anxiety a symptom of ADHD?

Anxiety is not included in the list of diagnostic criteria for ADHD, but the relationship between the two conditions is obvious. Nearly half of all people with ADHD suffer from an anxiety disorder, far more often than anyone else.

The very feeling of anxiety is a normal physiological reaction of the body to the expectation of risk or threat. But with an anxiety disorder, a person experiences a constant sense of worry and fear that interferes with daily life — even if there is no real risk or threat. The degree of anxiety disorder varies from social anxiety disorder to panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some others.

Some symptoms of ADHD and anxiety disorder overlap. This applies, for example, to anxiety and problems with concentration – these are signs of anxiety and other mental disorders, but also ADHD. So psychiatrists should be very careful when they make a diagnosis based on these symptoms, so as not to make recommendations that will not work.

Does ADHD make anxiety worse?

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People diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety disorders tend to have more severe anxiety symptoms than people without this diagnosis. But even people with ADHD, but without a diagnosed anxiety disorder, can experience a strong oppressive feeling of anxiety when performing daily activities. It can be literally paralyzing and cause, for example, loss of sense of time, poor working memory, and emotional overreaction. Worst of all, it’s a real vicious circle: ADHD provokes tardiness, procrastination, problems with meeting deadlines – and, ultimately, the prospect of social stigma. Thinking about it paralyzes, causes anxiety and intensifies the manifestation of symptoms that cause all these qualities that are undesirable for an active capitalist unit. All this is confirmed by research.

Other ADHD symptoms that increase anxiety

Fear of not fitting in

Anxiety is based on uncertainty about how events will develop. After many years of living with ADHD, experience tells a person that sometimes inattention, depression, memory lapses, and other symptoms of this condition can interfere with coping with a task. Yes, we know that the task must be completed and we want to complete it. But we cannot be sure that we will fulfill it – and this gives rise to anxiety and self-doubt, which becomes more and more difficult from year to year.

ADHD as a performance problem

People with ADHD know what they need to do, but we have a problem with putting it into action (hence the huge todo lists and entire “graveyards” of shelved projects) – this contradiction breeds anxiety. This contradiction is the most maddening part of ADHD, especially for adults. Here are the obstacles that stand in the way of completing the task:

• Ineffective self-regulation: “I know that I need to do this, but I’m not sure that I can resist distraction or hyperfocus.”
• Careless optimism: “I work best at the last minute.”
• External perfectionism: “I must be in the mood / have enough strength to take on the task.”
• Emotional dysregulation: The intensity of experiencing emotions is a characteristic feature of people with ADHD. To cope with anxiety, you will have to learn how to manage your own emotional state – without this, you will not be able to effectively cope with work, and this will lead to avoidance and procrastination, which means increased anxiety.

Treatment for ADHD and anxiety

Both ADHD and anxiety are treated with medication or psychosocial therapy. Often treating one condition reduces the symptoms of both – but this is strictly individual. Typically, clinicians first identify the more severe condition and begin with its treatment. Abroad, ADHD is treated with stimulants that do not aggravate anxiety symptoms.

Russia for the treatment of ADHD nootropics (glycine, noopept) are used, which, according to studies, give a pronounced anti-anxiety effect. Although all studies (for both glycine and noopept) were placebo-controlled, they were performed on a very small sample of patients (less than 100 people), and therefore they can hardly be considered evidence of the effectiveness of drugs. As for the popular drug Cortexin, we were unable to find information on its effect on anxiety. Its effectiveness for the treatment of ADHD also remains in question.

ADHD and anxiety during a crisis

A brain with ADHD already experiences a huge amount of overload and stress every day. Global crises add tasks that need to be solved: how to organize a workplace “on a remote basis” or even in another country; how to help a child with distance learning or adaptation to a new school; what to do if you get sick, or if your child gets sick. In these challenging times, resilience skills are more important than ever.

How to regulate emotions, behavior, thinking

To deal with anxiety effectively, start by analyzing your feelings and reactions. Anxiety and worry should cause you to ask yourself the question, “What is this discomfort telling me?” Then answer the following questions:

1. How do I feel?
2. What’s the problem?
3. What became the trigger?
4. Is this really a real problem? How can you take control of it?
5. What is the best, worst, and most likely outcome of the problem?

Do this exercise in writing

Pen and paper is best. The writing process itself is therapeutic. By taking the problem out of your head and turning it into text, you will understand what is under your control and what is not.

Suppose stress has caused you to have problems with alcohol or overeating. How can you manage these states?

• Ask yourself, “How do I feel? What is the benefit of such behavior? What do I get this way? Often, these behaviors help reduce anxiety, suppress stress, or create an illusion of control. Denoting the feeling that caused the behavior that bothers you (anxiety, depression, a feeling of loss of control) helps to see and recognize what is happening, soothes.
• Identify the trigger or problem that caused the disturbing behavior (binge eating, drinking problems). Of course, they are individual, but the most common causes are boredom, loneliness, anxiety due to commitments, excitement or tension at home, work-related stress, and even news.
• Consider your triggers and problems. Are problems really problems? Maybe you set yourself unrealistic deadlines for completing a task? If you don’t complete the task on time, what are the best and worst outcomes of the task? When you focus on what is really likely, and not just “might happen”, then everything may not be so scary.
• However, overeating and drinking are real problems and need to be addressed. One solution is to control incentives: for example, do not keep temptation in the house and look for substitute behavior. Instead of alcohol – tea or listening to music and meditation. If you feel like you can’t handle it, see a licensed psychiatrist.

Other coping mechanisms for ADHD and anxiety

Structure your time

Create a highly visible routine. Have a visible planner on your wall, in your diary, or on your smartphone. Think of them as time machines that carry us through the flow of time, allowing us to get everything we need to.

Don’t forget to schedule breaks.

Maintain healthy habits

Balancing sleep, work and activities, reducing caffeine and alcohol are effective for everyone, with or without ADHD

Avoid vagueness

900 02 Not “clean up the apartment” but: “dismantle the dryer, mop the floor, clean the cat litter boxes and feed the flowers with fertilizer. ”

Divide and Conquer

Create separate spaces for work, rest, sleep, study and other household activities so that there are “frames” for each business. This will help you focus. Another way to “frame” your time stream is to change into different clothes for work and play.

Take your prescribed medication and continue psychotherapy

This will help reduce your ADHD symptoms, reduce your anxiety, and help you manage your condition better.

Lower bar

The world has changed and continues to change; it is foolish to expect the same efficiency from oneself as before. Learn to think in terms of “sufficiency”: don’t let your work be “perfect”; let it be just “good enough”.

Decatastrophe

Even in the worst of times, remember to think ahead and practice gratitude, even if your family is affected by the loss. Abandon “should”: after all, “should” suggests only one way of doing things; and if it doesn’t work, “should” turns into a disaster.