Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have symptoms in common as well as similar treatments.
In the majority of cases, it may be difficult to determine which a person has until therapy begins, however, it is more likely that an individual will suffer from anxiety than ADHD. Visiting a therapist in Rogers could help determine what treatment would be beneficial.
What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also referred to as ADHD affects around 7.5% across the globe. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the symptoms appear before the age of twelve. Of course, children usually have a hard time focusing on different occasions, however, for those with ADHD the issues are almost constant and continue all the way into adulthood which interferes with their daily activities. There are three types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder all with different symptoms. The first one is inattentive with symptoms that include having a hard time paying attention to details, have trouble with organizing, often losing items, and no focus. The next one is hyperactive/impulsive which has symptoms which include having trouble staying seated such as in school, feeling restless, interrupts people, and has trouble waiting their turn. The last one is a combination of the first two.
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?
Generalized anxiety disorder also referred to as GAD is characterized by constant and unmanageable worrying, irritability, feeling on edge, and not being able to sleep. Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder may feel anxious more often about their job, relationships, health, and money. Individuals are diagnosed with GAD when they worry constantly for the majority of at least six months and have at least three symptoms described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition. Generalized anxiety disorder is not only the worrying but is known as a serious health disorder as individuals that suffer from GAD die close to 8 years earlier than individuals that do not have GAD.
Symptoms of GAD and ADHD can be Seen Together
Symptoms of both GAD and ADHD can be seen during childhood and even though they are both highly heritable both disorders are influenced by work, school, relationships, and all kinds of stressful environments.
What is known is that children that have ADHD can also suffer from secondary anxiety. The main reason is that individuals with ADHD usually have to work five times as hard as others and often only achieve getting half the work done, which can easily lead to anxiety. In some cases, primary anxiety may also be present if the individual inherited anxiety genes at the same time as they inherited the genes for ADHD. With an increase of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder the more severe the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Treatments Available
The most common treatments that work the best for anxiety, as well as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, are listed below.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually the most common and provides the most benefits for those suffering from both or only one of the disorders. Normally, medications along with therapy are the best options. The medications that are usually prescribed are stimulants and non-stimulants for those with attention deficit hyperactive disorder and for generalized anxiety disorder anxiolytics and antidepressants.