Edge Foundation Blog

Over the past several months, we’ve been focusing on anxiety and ADHD.

In January we introduced the topic of ADHD and anxiety with a report of how common forms of anxiety are much more common in people who have ADHD than the general population.  We also gave you a list of physical and psychological symptoms associated with anxiety.    Last month, we outlined the 4 most common axiety disorders associated with ADHD.  Remember half (52%) of adults with ADHD will experience general anxiety disorder during their lifetimes.

This month we’ll teach you a few things you can do to control anxiety.  Of course we need to start by saying that if your anxiety feels overwhelming or gets worse over time, you should begin by seeking the help of a professional, who might possibly prescribe therapy and/or medication.  There are, however,  easy, everyday things you can do to help control anxiety without taking another pill - that you can start right now!

1. Exercise
2. Eat right
3. Get enough sleep
4. Practice relaxation

Exercise Exercise Exercise

If you’re a regular Edge Foundation subscriber, you’ll have seen our review of John Ratey’s book, Spark: the revolutionary new science of exercise and the brain.

In it Ratey explains that regular exercise alone can dramatically reduce symptoms of anxiety:

• Exercise releases neurochemicals that help you feel better (serotonin, the “feel good” neurochemical, and GABA, an important inhibitory neurochemical that basically gives the command to “stand down”. )
• Exercise helps relax your body, reducing the resting tension of your muscles and thus interrupting the anxiety feedback loop to your brain.
• Exercise teaches you that you have control over the symptoms of racing heart, sweating, and elevated breathing. That feeling this way physically is not the same thing as a panic attack.
• Exercise even helps you unlearn the habit of anxiety.

Diet

We are going to sound like your mother, but she was right.  Be sure to remember to eat regular meals.  You may be able to get by and skip a meal with a little help from caffeine or sugar, but did you know that both of these foods can mimic the sensation of an anxiety attack - and actually trigger one!

Sleep

Irregular sleep habits can actually increase your anxiety symptoms!  Stress and anxiety may cause the body to produce a “no sleep” signal in the brain that heightens arousal and makes sleep difficult. This alerting effect is a cause of more anxiety and may set in motion a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.

Sleep is such a big issue for many people with ADHD that we are planning a future post on the topic.  In the meantime, there is a lot of information on the web about sleep, sleep problems, and how to develop better sleep patterns. Here are a few places to start.

• http://www.sleepfoundation.org
• http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm
• http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih3/sleep/guide/info-sleep.htm

Relax Your Mind

Take a time out and pause to let your mind and body relax. When you are stressing, do something distracting and fun. Take a deep breath.  Or fill your mind with a challenging task like a Sudoku or crossword puzzle and you won’t have room to think about your anxiety

Relax Your Body

Relax your body and your mind will follow - we call this the relaxation response.   Relax your body and your

• heart rate decreases
• breathing becomes slower and deeper
• blood pressure drops or stabilizes
• muscles relax
• and your anxiety level decreases

Did we mention exercise?

Exercise can be a great way to release tension in your body.  There are non-strenuous ways to invite your body to relax as well.

• yoga
• medication
• relaxation excecises
• biofeedback
• and don’t forget to breathe.

Anxiety is a real and serious problem, but you don’t have to let it put you on the sidelines or eat you up inside.  It just takes self-awareness that your anxiety is getting the best of you and self-discipline to take steps every day to keep your anxiety at bay.  An ADHD coach can help you figure out which techniques are best for you and put a plan in place to help you stay on top of your anxiety.

Have you found any of these everyday habits have helped your anxiety levels?  Please share your experience in the comments.  We’d love to hear from you.

Are you often worried? Nervous? Jumpy? Self-counscious or insecure?  Did you know these are all symptoms of anxiety?  And axiety disorders are much more common in people with ADHD than you might realize. 

Everyone gets the common cold, right?  Healthy adults have on average 2 colds per year and each cold lasts on average one week. That means that at any one time about 4% of adults will have a cold. 

According to the Surgeon General, at any one time, 16% of our population will have an anxiety disorder. That means Anxiety Disorders are FOUR TIMES as common as the common cold.  And some studies have indicated that as many as 25% of children with ADHD also have anxiety disorder. 

When should you worry about anxiety?

Normal anxiety comes and goes in response to real challenges involving potential loss or failure. Normal anxiety helps sharpen your attention so you can meet those challenges. 

Anxiety disorders involved anxiety that is more intense or lasts longer than normal anxiety, or that leads to phobias. Basically, if you worry when there’s no real threat, to the point where you can’t function normally, that’s an anxiety disorder.

Why haven’t I heard about anxiety disorders and ADHD before?

People know when they have a cold. If it’s so common, why don’t they know when they have an anxiety disorder?

• People may think the anxiety they live with is normal - it’s normal for them after all.
• People may deny their anxiety because it’s not acceptable to be “afraid”.
• People may be so good at avoiding what makes them anxious that they almost never experience the symptoms.
• People may have symptoms they don’t recognize as anxiety-stomach upset, muscle aches, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, twitches, heart palpitations, hot flashes, clammy hands-these can all be symptoms of anxiety.

The primary symptoms of anxiety disorders are fear and worry. But when people have physical symptoms that may mask the real issue, they will seek treatment for those instead. In fact, people with anxiety disorders are 3-5 times more likely to go to the doctor than non-sufferers.

Do you have any of these common symptoms of anxiety? 

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms of Anxiety:

• Apprehension, uneasiness, and dread
• Impaired concentration or selective attention
• Feeling restless or on edge
• Avoidance
• Hypervigilance
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Behavioral problems (especially in children and adolescents)
• Nervousness and jumpiness
• Self-consciousness and insecurity
• Fear that you are dying or going crazy
• Strong desire to escape

 Physical Symptoms of Anxiety:

• Heart palpitations or racing heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Hot flashes or chills
• Cold and clammy hands
• Stomach upset or queasiness
• Frequent urination or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Tremors, twitches, and jitters
• Muscle tension or aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Insomnia

(Source:  http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anxiety_types_symptoms_treatment.htm)

 An ADHD Coach can help you manage your anxiety

If you’ve been going to the doctor with any of these and not getting relief, you might want to consider consulting an anxiety specialist.   And an ADHD coach can also help you learn to identify your anxiety triggers and things you can do to keep your anxiety under control.  For example, exercise is an important way to minimize ADHD symptoms.  It is also a powerful antidote to many symptoms of anxiety.

You don’t have to live with anxiety, sign up for an Edge Coach and start taking charge of your life today.

ADHD and anxiety resources

For more information about ADHD and anxiety visit:

• http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/related-conditions-196320-5.html
• http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/wellness_concerns/adhd/010305_adhd_disorder.php
• And be sure to check out John Ratey’s book, Spark:  The revolutionary science of excercise and the brain

Do you have ADHD and anxiety?  What have you done to keep it under control.  We invite you to share your story here and help others learn what you have to keep your edge!

As the days grow shorter, it’s easy for all of us to get less active.  If you think about it, how much more time do you spend on-line or watching TV during the winter, when in the summer you would be out riding your bike or at the beach.

For people ADHD, keeping active year-round isn’t just a good idea, it’s key in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression and is also known to help with symptoms of ADHD.  It’s no surprise that Michael Phelps is able to manage his ADHD without medication – the man’s life is built around exercise. 

Studies reveal exercise treats ADHD 

There are multiple studies that show exercise is critical to brain functioning:

Spark:  The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey – was published earlier this year is filled with case studies which demonstrate the connection between exercise and brain functioning including ADHD.  (Click the link above to purchase the book and support the Edge Foundation.)

Inactive Teens More at Risk for Behavioral Problems,  Health Day, October 14, 2008.  A recent study of teenagers in Finland revealed that inactive boys and girls were more likely to have attention problems than their active peers.  It asserts that exercise is a highly effective method in easing depression and anxiety and urges teens to build regular exercise as a lifelong health habit. 

ADHD Coaching Keeps Your Exercise Program on Track 

It’s hard to start and exercise program, and even more difficult to make it a long-term habit.  ADHD coaching can help you stay on track with your exercise goals.  Checking in with someone about your weekly exercise goals, can be a way to set goals you can keep over time, stay on track and problem solve when you aren’t able to meet your goals. 

The Edge Foundation offers coaches who are specifically trained and experience in working with high school and college students.  Sign up and get your EDGE today! 

And while your at it, consider exercising outdoors.  This week another study shows that a walk in the park is also highly beneficial to improving attention in children with ADHD.

Now it’s your turn, what do you do to keep on track with your exercise goals?  Leave a comment and share your success or struggles with other Edge readers.