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Apr 20, 2022 · In some cases, this can lead to social anxiety. There are three main symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. Each of these ...
- Sonya Matejko
- Overview
- The Connection Between ADHD and Social Anxiety
- Complications of ADHD and Social Anxiety
- Diagnosis of ADHD and Social Anxiety
- Treatment of ADHD and Social Anxiety
- Coping With ADHD and Social Anxiety
- Summary
- A Word From Verywell
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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral condition that causes people to exhibit patterns of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have a co-occurring anxiety condition, including social anxiety. Social anxiety is characterized by an intense fear of social situations.
Though any anxiety disorder can coexist with ADHD, social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most common. While estimates vary, research suggests that 60 to 70% of people with ADHD also experience social anxiety disorder.
Learning the differences between the two conditions is important in the management and treatment of both. In this article, we discuss the connection between ADHD and social anxiety disorder, including how one condition affects the diagnosis and treatment of the other.
It's entirely possible that anxiety disorders occur much more frequently in people with ADHD than they do in the general population. However, more research is needed to understand why ADHD and SAD co-occur in some people and not in others.
Although experts don't know for certain why ADHD and SAD tend to occur together, some think that the factors that play a role in ADHD—genetics, environmental toxins, or premature birth—may also influence anxiety disorders.
Still, others believe that ADHD symptoms, themselves, contribute to anxiety. Often, ADHD symptoms—such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity—put a person at greater risk of being teased, bullied, or otherwise socially rejected. Fearing further rejection, many withdraw into themselves, avoiding any social setting that they find threatening.
A person with ADHD might be more likely to develop social anxiety if:
•They have a family history of anxiety disorders
•They have negative social experiences such as peer rejection, bullying, or other interpersonal conflicts
Overlapping Symptoms
On the surface, SAD and ADHD can sometimes look alike. The following are just a few ways symptoms of ADHD and SAD overlap: Difficulty socializing: People with SAD may struggle to make and maintain friendships due to fears about rejection. Someone with ADHD is likely to have low impulse control and trouble picking up on social cues, making it difficult to sustain friendships. Inattention: A person with SAD may seem tuned out, but they are really just distracted by worries. Those with ADHD are inattentive because of differences in the brain that affect focus. Trouble completing tasks: People with SAD might become stuck on a task and be too anxious to ask for help. Those with ADHD might not turn in an assignment because of poor planning skills and forgetfulness.
Misdiagnosis
Having both conditions at the same time can also contribute to misdiagnosis. Unfortunately, some symptoms of SAD can be misinterpreted as ADHD symptoms, and it isn't until outward behaviors—such as weight loss, sleeplessness, or refusal to attend social settings—that the social anxiety becomes more apparent. As a result, SAD often goes undiagnosed in those who also have ADHD.
When to See a Doctor
If symptoms of social anxiety are causing severe distress and affecting your ability to function in daily life, it is important to talk to a health professional. If you are experiencing panic attacks or are avoiding school, work, or other social obligations due to social anxiety, talk to your doctor or mental health professional.
ADHD
ADHD can be categorized into three subtypes: inattentive type, hyperactive type, and combined type. To be diagnosed, children and adults must exhibit symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity for six months or longer. Such symptoms may include: Struggling to pay attention Making careless mistakes Not following directions Trouble organizing tasks Difficulty remaining skill Talking excessively Frequently interrupting others Symptoms must begin before age 12, be present in two or more settings, and interfere with the individual's ability to function in daily life. Such symptoms must also not be the result of another mental disorder or medical condition.
Social Anxiety
In order to be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, a person must: Experience fear reactions that are out of proportion to the danger the situation presents Symptoms must interfere with a person's ability to function in their daily life People must experience this anxiety in almost all social situations Additionally, symptoms of social anxiety must be present for six months or longer and must not be due to substance use, a medical condition, or another mental health condition.
There are no clear or published guidelines on how to treat co-occurring ADHD and SAD. Only after your doctor determines how your anxiety functions can they develop the best treatment plan to meet your needs.
For instance, if your anxiety and ADHD are functioning independently of one another, your doctor may decide to treat both conditions simultaneously. Or they may choose to treat whichever condition is causing you the most problems first before moving on to the other condition.
Lifestyle Changes
There are several lifestyle changes that may help make disruptive ADHD characteristics easier to cope with. Such strategies may also offer relief from feelings of social anxiety. Some you might try include: Meditation: Meditation can be a useful relaxation tool that can combat feelings of anxiety and increase self-awareness. Journaling: Journaling can be a helpful form of self-expression that can relieve feelings of anxiety and help you notice patterns and triggers that tend to make your symptoms worse. Writing things down can also help people with ADHD combat forgetfulness. Creating routines: Having a structured routine can be helpful for managing stress and anxiety. For people with ADHD, it can also be a way to get tasks done without getting off-track. Instead of getting distracted, you'll have a greater awareness of where you should be and what you should be doing.
Support Groups
Support groups can be a great source of encouragement, resources, and advice. You'll be able to talk to people who have had similar experiences and get advice about how to manage different aspects of your condition. Of course, the idea of participating in a support group can be intimidating for many people with social anxiety disorder. One way to deal with this is to consider joining an online support group. This will allow you to gradually practice interacting with others in an online format. Over time, you may find that attending in-person support meetings can also be helpful. How to Find an ADHD Support Group
It is not uncommon for people with ADHD to have co-occurring conditions, including social anxiety disorder. The exact reasons why they often co-occur are not clear, but genetics and environmental factors may play a part. Characteristics of ADHD may also make it more likely for people to feel anxious in social situations.
While having both conditions can lead to complications and make diagnosis more difficult, treatments are available that can help. Medications, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes can help people manage the traits and symptoms of both conditions in order to function better in daily life.
A co-occurring diagnosis of SAD can be a lifelong reality for someone with ADHD. It's OK to feel overwhelmed. Learning more about the connection between these two conditions is the first step toward lessening the impact they have on your life. Just take a deep breath and know that with the right support, you can manage both ADHD and SAD, and thrive in life.
Conditions That Can Produce ADHD-Like Symptoms
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
1.Koyuncu A, İnce E, Ertekin E, Tükel R. Comorbidity in social anxiety disorder: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Drugs Context. 2019;8:212573. doi:10.7573/dic.212573
2.Koyuncu A, Alkın T, Tükel R. Development of social anxiety disorder secondary to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (the developmental hypothesis). Early Interv Psychiatry. 2018;12(2):269-272. doi:10.1111/eip.12372
Aug 4, 2024 · Distinguishing between ADHD and social anxiety can be challenging due to these overlapping symptoms. However, the core differences lie in the underlying causes of these behaviors. In ADHD, social difficulties often stem from inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity, while in social anxiety, they arise from fear of judgment and negative ...
Apr 15, 2022 · In some instances, these symptoms can overlap with or mirror those of ADHD. Self conscious in front of other people. Extreme fear that others will judge you. Can worry for days or weeks before an event. Avoidance of situations requiring social interaction and intensely uncomfortable if in a social situation.
- 1. Some people believe social anxiety disorder (SAD) is synonymous with shyness. Others, including some physicians, don't believe it exists at all....
- 2. Studies show that 2 to 13 percent of the U.S. population experiences social anxiety, at some point in their lives, to the degree that it would b...
- 3. SAD and shyness are not the same. Shyness is considered a personality trait. People who are shy experience nervousness or anxiety when faced wit...
- 4. The following are all symptoms of SAD, though everyone might not experience all symptoms. Some people might exhibit symptoms in only one type of...
- 5. While some people with SAD might stay in the background, others are outgoing in situations that don’t require them to perform whatever action tr...
- 6. SAD can interfere with your ability to make friends and participate in social activities. But it can also cause problems in relationships, cause...
- 7. Teens with social anxiety often experience depression as well. Some research has found that if you have SAD, you are six times more likely to al...
- 8. Like other anxiety disorders , there is help if you have social phobia. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to help people underst...
Nov 5, 2020 · ADHD rarely travels alone, and social anxiety is one of its frequent companions. Whether you can’t eat in front of other people, avoid cafes or stores due to conversations with strangers or ...
Apr 23, 2024 · Compiling a review of all research on the link between social anxiety and ADHD poses several challenges. As previously mentioned, the terminology and diagnostic criteria for both social anxiety and ADHD have undergone significant changes over the years (APA, 1994, 2013). This has led to a wide variation in reported prevalence depending on when ...
People also ask
Can ADHD cause social anxiety?
Do social anxiety symptoms overlap with ADHD?
Does social anxiety cause anxiety?
Can ADHD make you more likely to have social problems?
What is social anxiety disorder (SAD)?
Do ADHD symptoms cause anxiety?
The more generalized form of social anxiety often leads to greater functional impairments in daily life, earlier onset of symptoms, and higher comorbidity with other disorders (Burstein et al., 2011). Hence, social anxiety can be said to exist on a continuum of severity ranging from symptoms of social anxiety up to clinical levels (i.e., SAD).
