Difference between ADHD and anxiety
Anxiety vs ADHD:
Anxiety and ADHD are conditions of the mind which are often confused with one another perhaps because of the similarities of symptoms of the two conditions. However, they cannot be used synonymously as they are completely different syndromes and each has their unique characteristics as well as method of cure.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety can be generally defined as a feeling of discomfort prior to doing something. It is situational and is often based on a previous experience of the individual which he or she has deemed as being unpleasant or dangerous. It is often manifested in the form of severe nervousness, the anticipation of a negative outcome of a situation. A person suffering from anxiety may avoid a situation which makes him or her feel uneasy to the point that it makes even simple activities in his or her day to day life rendered unachievable.
What is ADHD ?
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, better known as ADHD is a disease of the mind which can be caused by either genetic disorders, diet, social and physical environment. It is a condition often seen in young boys and is characteristic of the child having trouble paying attention, staying focused on an activity or subject, problems following directions and periods of extreme energetic activity.
A child with ADHD knows what to do and yet he forgets to do it. He or she might be unable to talk or play quietly, have difficulty waiting for their turn because of his or her impatience, be disruptive with talk or activities, frequently interrupting others and yet be aware of their bad behaviour, but appear as being unable to control it. Family dysfunction, educational system inadequacies, violence and emotional abuse and smoking or drinking during pregnancy can be the potential causes for ADHD in a child.
What is the difference between ADHD and anxiety?
While certain ADHD and anxiety symptoms may seem similar, they should be recognized and differentiated properly in order to seek treatment for the condition. These differences are extremely subtle and yet, they are nevertheless there.
ADHD is predominantly seen in children whereas anxiety is predominantly seen in adults. ADHD is more of a long lasting if not a permanent condition whereas anxiety can easily be cured with the proper medical treatments and care.
Also, anxiety can merely be a symptom or a natural response to fear or stress rather than the actual condition, anxiety disorder. And yet, ADHD is a neuro-biologic ailment and a person affected by ADHD can show signs of anxiety which can be often confusing. It has been estimated that 25% of ADHD patients also have a coexisting anxiety disorders.
In addition to the feeling of dread experienced by the anxiety patient, he or she may display physical signs of headaches, nausea, profuse sweating, lightheadedness, irritability and stomach pains. And yet, even though an ADHD patient too displays these symptoms sometimes, they are usually categorized under the dominant categories of inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive.
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