How Do ADHD and Anxiety Look Different in Women?
Young girls are often pressured to handle their problems on their own and avoid “burdening” anyone else. They are taught to be polite and put the needs of others first. But in adulthood, many women realize that they’ve been trying to suppress frustrating symptoms throughout their entire lives.
Some women suffer from symptoms like hyperactivity, difficulty concentrating, impulsivity, or executive dysfunction, which can indicate undiagnosed ADHD. Other women struggle with panic attacks, persistent worries and fears, or insomnia, which are generally linked to anxiety.
While these are two distinct conditions, they can present similarly, and as a result, a lot of women have trouble figuring out how to move forward and heal. Here are a few telltale differences between anxiety and ADHD in women.
Anxiety Can Ebb and Flow Throughout Life
Some women do experience anxiety symptoms in childhood that never quite go away. But anxiety is not a permanent, lifelong condition. Instead, anxiety levels often change dramatically based on your circumstances, and they can disappear altogether with lifestyle changes and talk therapy.
However, ADHD cannot be “cured” in the same sense. While it’s possible to manage ADHD symptoms purely through lifestyle shifts, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that people are born with, while anxiety is a mental health condition that can develop at any point.
ADHD Symptoms Are Not Fueled By Fear
Women with anxiety experience disruptive symptoms because they are plagued by consistent worries and fears. These worries can extend to anything, and they might concern situations that are highly unlikely to actually happen.
Anxiety symptoms can make it difficult to focus, and feeling easily distracted might seem like a warning sign for ADHD. However, ADHD symptoms are not rooted in fear. While women may experience more severe ADHD symptoms when they’re stressed, the symptoms linger at all times, and do not go away when one feels relaxed.
ADHD Begins in Childhood, Yet It’s Not Always Diagnosed
Why is it so tough for women to determine whether they’re dealing with anxiety or ADHD if they have mysterious symptoms in adulthood? Because so many girls with ADHD are not diagnosed in childhood, they often try to manage their symptoms independently, chasing perfection through strict study schedules. Alternatively, they might simply assume they are “lazy.”
In adulthood, when these symptoms become impossible to ignore, women can forget just how much work they put in to cover up their struggles early in life. It can feel like the symptoms just cropped up.
Anxiety May Not Affect Your Attention Span
Yes, some women with anxiety do have trouble concentrating on important tasks because their worries are so overwhelming. It’s not easy to focus when your mind keeps turning to stressful scenarios. But anxiety does not inherently affect one’s attention span. In fact, some women with anxiety find that paying attention to their personal hobbies and interests eases their symptoms and serves as a welcome break from worrying.
Women with ADHD, however, may struggle to pay attention even to activities they’re passionate about, and they often start and quit hobbies or projects quickly.
Anxiety Often Causes Physical Symptoms
ADHD does not automatically cause physical symptoms. Yet many women with anxiety experience frustrating physical symptoms that can leave them wondering if they’re ill. Panic attacks can feel like heart attacks, and insomnia can cause one to toss and turn all night. Anxiety can also cause headaches and muscle tension. If you’re dealing with physical symptoms, it’s probably worth exploring an anxiety diagnosis.
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Do you suspect that you might be suffering from ADHD or anxiety symptoms, but you’re not sure which? Contact our practice to set up your first session for ADHD therapy and gain clarity.