Anxiety
Is Your Mind Constantly Running in Third Gear?
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons adults with ADHD seek support.
For many people, the anxiety feels like it is always there in the background. They may find it difficult to switch off, relax, or feel settled, even when there is no obvious reason to be worried.
A common description is that the ADHD mind feels like an engine running too high.
Almost like driving on a freeway in third gear.
The mind is constantly active, noisy, and jumping from one thought to the next. Over time, this can create the feeling that something is about to go wrong, even when there is no immediate threat.
Anxiety Isn't Always the Problem
For many adults with ADHD, anxiety is not simply a separate issue.
Often it develops as a result of living with the daily challenges that ADHD creates.
Life admin begins to pile up.
Bills go unpaid.
Fines are forgotten.
Important tasks get pushed aside.
Relationships become strained due to impulsive decisions, emotional reactions, or inconsistency.
The more these issues accumulate, the more overwhelmed a person becomes.
Many adults with ADHD spend years feeling like they are constantly trying to catch up. They may feel exhausted from carrying around a growing list of unfinished tasks whilst worrying about what they may have forgotten.
Over time, this can create a significant amount of anxiety and self-doubt.
Understanding What's Driving the Anxiety
One of the benefits of ADHD therapy is that it helps people better understand the connection between their symptoms and their anxiety.
Rather than simply treating the anxiety in isolation, it can be helpful to look at what is creating the stress in the first place.
For many people, the anxiety starts to reduce when life becomes more manageable.
This often involves understanding how the ADHD brain works, identifying patterns that are contributing to anxiety, and developing practical strategies that make everyday life easier to navigate.
Creating More Calm and Control
The work focuses on helping people create systems that reduce stress rather than constantly reacting to it.
This may involve solution-focused approaches, cognitive reframing, stronger systems to prevent important tasks from stacking up, and practical strategies that improve organisation, follow-through, and emotional regulation.
It also involves developing insight into the unique way your mind works.
Many adults with ADHD spend years focusing exclusively on what they struggle with.
Understanding both the challenges and the strengths of ADHD can be an important part of building confidence and improving wellbeing.