If you want to learn more about ADHD and anxiety in kids, you are at the most appropriate place to fetch all the relevant information.
Overview of ADHD
ADHD is an abbreviation for a disorder called ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder’. It is a disorder generally found in kids at a very young age and may last up to adulthood. If your child has ADHD, then there are chances that he or she can show impulsive behavior without thinking about the consequences of the same. They might show impulsive behavior in controlling their anger as well. Such kids also face problems in paying attention to their environment. Adding to this is the fact that these kids might be overly active at times. Read more about the signs and symptoms of ADHD and anxiety in kids by reading further.
Signs and Symptoms
It is pretty easy for you to observe the changes in the behavior of your child. Likewise, it is straightforward to diagnose ADHD in your child. All you need to do is keep observing your child’s behavioral patterns.
1. Daydreaming
If your child has ADHD, then you can observe them daydreaming about things that are impractical and impossible to happen. They might tend to live in their own world even if they have work to complete or are surrounded by many people.
2. Forgetting or Losing Things
It is seen in the school-going students that they forget things or happen to lose their belongings in the school. If it continues to stay for a long time, even when you expect your child to be responsible enough to take care of their belongings, then it might be a concern for you.
3. Difficulties in Interaction
Having ADHD makes a child self-centered and molds him/her to face difficulties in interacting and getting along with people. They love their own company more than interacting with other people.
4. Too Much talking
You’ll always find a child with ADHD murmuring things to themselves. They might not talk to others, but they will keep on talking to someone they feel an attachment towards.
5. Squirm or Fidget Body Language
In the most severe cases of ADHD, a child can even exhibit squirm body language. It might be worrisome because it is complicated to handle both for the parents and the child.
Other signs and symptoms observed in a child with ADHD are showing impulsive behavior or acting towards things abruptly in an overactive manner.
ADHD and Anxiety in Kids
It becomes a little difficult to judge the presence of anxiety in a child who is already suffering from ADHD. However, there are more chances of a child inheriting anxiety disorder from his parents. According to this study, 60% of adults and 30% of kids already having ADHD suffer from an anxiety disorder.
Differences Between ADHD and Anxiety
You can quickly figure out the differences between ADHD and anxiety while keeping a close watch on your child’s behavior. For example, if your child has an anxiety disorder, he will not make decisions or move forward in anything situationally. But, since ADHD is considered an extreme anxiety disorder, it is pretty evident that the child will not make decisions in all the situations forward.
If your child has both anxiety and ADHD, the actions can either be hyperactive or show squirm or fidget movements.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety in a Child
Here is a list of all signs and symptoms that a child might exhibit if they have an anxiety disorder:
1. Difficulty in Concentration
The child suffering from an anxiety disorder might face difficulties in gathering their attention in one place. Be it academics or any other field, the child might fail to pay attention and concentrate.
2. Sleep Deprivation
There might be chances that they wake up at midnight because of bad dreams or nightmares. This is a result of the anxious thoughts that they have in their mind and it can, in turn, lead to insomnia and bad health.
3. Anger and Irritability
A child having anxious thoughts in his/her head will eventually get irritable and hyperactive. In such a situation, you should never get too rude with the child or start beating them. This might leave them even more vulnerable emotionally and increase their anger. Rather, have patience while dealing with them and correct them with love.
4. Loss of Appetite
Negative thoughts affect the appetite of a child adversely. Therefore, if you find that your child is not eating correctly, it is a big sign that they have anxiety issues.
5. Increased Toilet Breaks
If you observe your child using the toilet more often than usual, it is a significant indication of your child’s anxiety disorder. Therefore, it is high time that you initiate keeping a check on his/her activities and thought process.
When you know all the symptoms and signs that indicate anxiety disorder in your child, you need to understand how you can control it. Moving towards the last section of the article, here are some things that you should do to manage ADHD and anxiety in kids.
How to Control Anxiety and ADHD?
Here are some ways that you can use to control the anxiety and ADHD in your child:
- Medications are the best treatment you can give to your child when s/he is suffering from ADHD or anxiety.
- There are chances that ADHD ends up leaving your child unmotivated and unintelligent. A favorable environment capable of providing motivation and encouragement to your child will suit their growth as an individual.
- Health professionals and psychologists can help you but to an extent. It is your child who is dealing with the problem. It would be best if you try to listen to them and comfort them whenever needed.
- Indeed, anxiety and ADHD never leave the human mind once they make their house there. It is you who can make a difference by taking care of the needs of your child. So, it would be best if you acted wisely.
This is how you can control anxiety and ADHD issues in your child.
The last lines
Anxiety and ADHD are psychological disorders that need to be taken care of on a priority basis. Of course, you, as a parent, can judge what’s best for your child. However, keeping a close watch on your child’s mental wellness should top your to-do list.
