ADHD & Anxiety by Claire Steiner

What is ADHD?

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:32:15 UTC

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It’s a common medical disorder that was diagnosed to 11 percent of Americans ranging between the ages of four to seventeen in 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as the CDC. That means that in America soly 6.5 million adolescence were diagnosed. ADHD is generally diagnosed in youth and teens, and can carry into adulthood and affect one their whole life. The CDC stated that around “half of those with ADHD are diagnosed by the age of six”. Some behavioral side effects of having ADHD include forgetfulness, laziness, disorganization and impatientence which causes the struggles at school, home, and work to become more intense. However, ADHD isn't curable there are many ways that one can help manage the side effects of the disorder. For example, treatments can involve medications and/or therapies that both help to manage one of their ADHD symptoms.

What are symptoms of ADHD?

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:32:30 UTC

Symptoms usually start to convey when in childhood and can progress, stay the same, or decrease when older, depending on person-to-person. The symptoms of ADHD usually vary from person to person but there are three main categorizes according to "ADHD" by Andrea C. Nakaya;which include attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity.

 Inattention symptoms can include minuscule attention to details which can lead to careless mistakes in school, work, ect. People can have trouble keeping attention, get easily distracted, and/or they seem as if they aren't listening when being spoken to. Failing to follow instructions and work is common, in addition to avoiding tasks that they dislike. Lastly, inattention can cause lose of items, instructions or forgetting daily activities.

Hyperactivity symptoms can include fidgeting, squirming and inability to stay seated for long periods. People run or climb at inappropriate times and have trouble with leisure activities.

Impulsivity symptoms can include often blurting answers before the question has been fully said. People often have trouble waiting their turn. Lastly, impulsivity can cause one to interrupt others conversations or games.

ADHD in the Brain

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:32:39 UTC

Medical scientists believe that ADHD is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The frontmost part of the brain, directly behind the forehead called the…., deals with attention, concentrate, organize, and put the brakes on impulsive or unacceptable behavior. However, In people with ADHD, the front part of the brain may not be able to use the brain’s main signal senders, called neurotransmitters, the way it is supposed to. The front part of the brain has little correlation with intelligence, so it's possible for people to have ADHD and still be smart. Researchers have conclude that ADHD is a developmental delay in the brain which causes the brain to physically become smaller than the average. Surprisingly, brains that have ADHD are around 3 to 10 percent smaller, on average. The regions of the brain that are affected by ADHD are the same as the parts of the brain that deal with emotions, self-awareness and self-regulation.

How is ADHD diagnosed

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:33:02 UTC

Since ADHD has to look at every aspect of your personality and behavior it is difficult to be diagnosed. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of a comprehensive assessment that uses results from standard tests and input from people who know you well. Testing can included analysis of one’s intelligence, achievement, and fine motor skills. After, the reports and observations of two or more people close to the patient will be then evaluated. Parents can describe their child's behavior over a long period of time. Teachers evaluate one's behavior by the use of past standardized tests or forms, in addition to their personal opinion of their students school work and behavior. The patient being evaluated is asked what they think is wrong with them and what their thoughts and feelings are about it all. Also, they are asked why they act the way they do at home and school. A family pediatrician is asked about your overall health, which includes vision and hearing, in addition to if there has been past medical problems. A child psychiatrist, who works with learning and behavioral problems, can be asked to observe the child and give their opinions on the child’s actions. A neurologist who works with brain and physical disorders may observe and give their opinions on physical mobility and coordination.

What is Academic Anxiety?

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:34:28 UTC

Having anxiety mean to feel stressed out. The feeling of being distressed, fearful, or stressed out as a result of school pressures is called academic anxiety. In 2019, a survey showed that 70% of teens feel anxiety and depression are a major concern, with 61% of those teens stating the pressure to get good grades as a top causes of anxiety.“ Academic anxiety is experienced most often during timed exercises and in situations in which students are expected to perform their best when the stakes are very high, such as on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SATs), or when in front of others. The way in which someone experiences this anxiety can range from mild, momentary jitters at having to read out loud in class, to a serious disorder in which a person experiences overwhelming panic and has difficulty functioning normally.”

What are symptoms of Anxiety?

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:35:43 UTC

There are both mental and physical symptoms that over overwhelm ones body when having anxiety. 

Some mental symptoms can include...
-Feeling on edge
-Thinking negatively
-Difficulty carrying out task 
-Difficulty disicion making
-Parsistanct worrying about situations or things
-Feelings of panic, fear or uneasiness 
-Irratible

Some physical symptoms can include...
-Headaches
-Sweating
-Dry mouth
-Tension
-Nausea/vommiting
-Flushing/chills
-Loss of appeitte 
-Craving food
-Tiredness
-Chocking Sensation
-Shortness of breath
-Chest Pains
-Palpitatons
-Stomach Pains
-'Butterflies'
-Diarreha
-Trembling
-Bladder weakness 
-'Pins & Needles'
-Shakiness
-'Jelly Legs'

Post-Diagnosis of ADHD

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:36:58 UTC

After being diagnosed with ADHD you then know that your problems are a real medical disorder and you can start to make changes if needed. The diagnosis will help give insight into ones academic, social, and family problems. This also mean you can start receiving treatments and therapies to help manage the disorder. After a child’s diagnosis stress is lifted off parents because now they know that their child’s learning, concentration, and attention problems are not their fault from “bad parenting”. Parent;s also know that now they can help improve their child’s life with these new insists. The diagnosis also lets them know that there are things they can do to help you do better at home and at school. All in all, the diagnosis is one of the most stress relieving times because you know you can help you child, friend, family and yourself.

What is Social Anxiety?

1903814 — 2019-05-30 21:53:08 UTC

One of the common anxiety disorder among teens is social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, which is the fear of being embarrassed by a social situation. The problem with being a teen is that social phobia is not exactly an unusual fear, and so unless it persists for six months and interferes with someone going to school, work, or out with his or her friends, doctors are reluctant to diagnose it. Sometimes teens who develop social phobia were shy as children. It really is pretty normal to be self-conscious as a teen (bad skin days, bad hair days, getting changed for gym when you’ve just put on some pounds), but people suffering from social anxiety disorder may blush, get the shakes, and feel nauseated when they have to answer a question in class, and they worry about it all the time. Or they may be fine in class and terrified in the lunchroom.

Anxiety in the brain

1903814 — 2019-05-30 22:35:25 UTC

According to Teen Health and Wellness, “social anxiety disorder may be” caused by “an imbalance of a brain chemical called serotonin”, which is a neurotransmitter that helps nerve cells send electrical signals to communicate throughout body. Therefore, the problem occurs when there is an off balance with serotonin release system, which affects the communication of the cells.

Treatments for ADHD?

1903814 — 2019-05-30 22:36:31 UTC

There are two main means of treatment used for ADHD which include medication and therapies. "Education and therapy can be helpful to people with ADHD" said Nakaya. To do this one would educate ADHD patients how to better grasp their behavior and show them essential skills to help cope with their symptoms. Hallowell states "the most powerful help is the identification and development of their strengths." Hallowell also argues that it has transformed patients' lives more than any other intervention.

 For medication used for ADHD there are a plethora of different types that do similar actions. In the book ADHD Medication Abuse by Rosa Waters,she states that medications for ADHD "include Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine, Vyvanse, as well as others." ADHD medications are normally in the form of a pill but there is a skin patch that carries out the same actions. These drugs are all known as stimulants.

ADHD in college

1903814 — 2019-05-30 22:42:56 UTC

Planning ahead is one of the most essential things to succeed in one's education and future. According to the "Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD or LD" by Kathleen Nadeau, she suggests that the first step to survival for after high school is to choose the best college for you by evaluating colleges by filtering them by your needs. For students with ADHD, Nadeau recommends looking if colleges have ADHD support services, if they’re ADHD friendly, and if they have they provide the best environment for your needs and preferences. Once in college Nadeau suggest to develop many relationships with anyone helpful. For example, student support services, your professors and using any other academic support systems that are provided.

Thinking about the future with ADHD

1903814 — 2019-05-30 22:44:47 UTC

It’s always a good idea to start planning your future early, especially when you have a mental disorder like ADHD. There are many ways that you can receive help through your school. First of all, talking to your school counselor, school psychologist and teachers is the best thing to do for your education. Getting extra help such as different learning techniques or one-on-one time with your teachers will help tremendously. Also if your ADHD happens to be sever enough there are opportunities for you. Receiving extra time on quizzes, test, and exams that are taken in the class room is something that can be arranged through your teachers, counselor, and psychologist. There are also options to get extra time on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT.

Treatments for Anxiety

1903814 — 2019-05-30 22:47:31 UTC

To help treat effects of social anxiety drug therapy can come in to help. The drug called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRI for short is becoming more common.  Although research is still being done, patients who use SSRI have fewer side effects when compared with other medications.
Another treatment for social anxiety can be a support group therapy. In a group of others with the same phobia you carry out exercises and discussions about how you’re feeling, with the supervision and guidance of a counselor.

Thinking about the future with Anxiety

1903814 — 2019-05-30 22:51:40 UTC

It’s always a good idea to start planning your future early, especially when you have a mental disorder like Anxiety . There are many ways that you can receive help through your school. First of all, talking to your school counselor, school psychologist and teachers is the best thing to do for your education. Getting extra help such as different learning techniques or one-on-one time with your teachers will help tremendously.

Anxiety in General

1903814 — 2019-05-31 17:44:25 UTC

Anxiety is caused when something especially scary happens to a person and that situation they experienced becomes a trigger when the situation arises again.  According to "Anxiety and Panic Disorders" by Jennifer Lombardo, anxiety is evaluated as a disorder that derives from peoples experiences of fear of things or ideas that most others would not find stressful. Unfortunately, anxiety will usually  persist after the origin of the stress is removed. However, there are treatments such as medications and therapists who will be able to control the symptoms of the patients anxieties.

How to control anxiety

1903814 — 2019-05-31 17:53:21 UTC

After one is diagnosed with anxiety there are many things you can do to help control and hopefully diminish symptoms in your everyday life. On page 69 of "Anxiety and panic disorders" Jennifer Lombardo states a healthy coping mechanism to calm anxiety. The first step is to figure out the origin of the stress. Then, determine all the ways you process stressful situations. In other words, what are your thoughts. The third step is to realize which thoughts are negative and irrational. The fourth step is to 'stand up' to the negative thought. Lastly, the final and hardest step is to substitute the negative thought for positive ones. For the best results of changing ones mental state Lombardo recommends to get professional help from a therapist.

How to help

1903814 — 2019-06-07 14:56:04 UTC

If you or someone you currently know has ADHD, it is a good idea for you to get a mental health screening to look for anything that can potentially be helped. Being able to acknowledge that you have any mental health issues will lead to a better understanding and gripe on it. What that means is if you know why something is happening you can realize when it happens and calm yourself down.
other means of help that can include going to a therapist or take medications if necessary. Then any challenges can be identified and stopped before anything becomes a serious issue.

Citations(websites)

1903814 — 2019-06-08 04:15:58 UTC

Newhall, Lexi Frank. “Living With ADHD And Anxiety.” Anxiety.org, 27 Aug. 2014, www.anxiety.org/learn-to-live-with-adhd-anxiety.

“Teen Health and Wellness.” Teen Health & Wellness, teenhealthandwellness.com/article/32?search=ADHD.

“Teen Health and Wellness.” Teen Health & Wellness, teenhealthandwellness.com/article/32/attention-deficit-disorder-add-and-attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd.

“Teen Health and Wellness.” Teen Health & Wellness, teenhealthandwellness.com/article/47/2/common-panic-and-anxiety-disorders.

“Teen Health and Wellness.” Teen Health & Wellness, teenhealthandwellness.com/article/47/anxiety-and-panic-attacks.

“Teen Health and Wellness.” Teen Health & Wellness, teenhealthandwellness.com/article/28/academic-anxiety.

Citations(pictures)

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Skull GIF -
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

'Symptoms'-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Brain GIF-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Diagnosis clipboars-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Sky picture- MINE!

'How can I help you?"-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Brain gears-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Diploma-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

ADHD brain-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Anxiety-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

'OVERTHINKING'-
Steiner, Claire. “ADHD & Anxiety.” Padlet, 8 June 2019, padlet.com/1903814/jynihz2g7813.

Sunset- MINE!

Feet w/ sunset- MINE!

Citations(books)

1903814 — 2019-06-08 04:30:10 UTC

Lombardo, Jennifer. Anxiety and Panic Disorders. Lucent Press, 2018.

Nadeau, Kathleen G., and Kathleen G. Nadeau. Survival Guide for College Students with ADHD or LD. Magination Press, 2006.

Nakaya, Andrea C. ADHD. ReferencePoint Press, 2009.

Waters, Rosa. ADHD Medication Abuse: Ritalin, Adderall, & Other Addictive Stimulants. Mason Crest, 2015.