The link between anxiety and ADHD in adults

ADHD and anxiety are distinct conditions, but they frequently overlap and influence one another. ADHD affects the brain’s ability to regulate attention, impulses, and emotions, while anxiety stems from an overactive threat-detection system that triggers excessive worry or fear. When these two interact, they can create a frustrating loop: you forget a deadline or misread a social cue because of ADHD, then start to worry about the consequences. That anxiety makes it harder to focus or sleep, which in turn worsens ADHD symptoms - and the cycle continues.

Many adults with ADHD feel anxious because they’re navigating a world not built for their brain type. You may worry about forgetting things, missing appointments, or making impulsive mistakes. You might feel overwhelmed by competing tasks, experience chronic stress from underperformance, or develop anticipatory anxiety about situations that could trigger worry. Some people with ADHD also "mask" their symptoms to fit into social or professional settings, which is emotionally draining. Over time, this constant pressure can lead to generalised anxiety, social anxiety, or even panic attacks.

Another common feature of ADHD is emotional dysregulation - intense, fast emotional reactions to everyday events. Small setbacks can feel enormous, and criticism or rejection can trigger deep distress, sometimes known as rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD). These strong emotions can feed into anxiety. You begin to fear your own reactions, avoid triggering situations, and anticipate the worst.

This is where Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) can make a meaningful difference. SFH helps calm the nervous system, ease anxiety, and improve emotional regulation - all of which support better focus and executive function for adults with ADHD. During sessions, deep relaxation and guided trance calm the amygdala, the brain’s fear centre, helping the body move out of fight-or-flight mode. As anxiety reduces, you shift back into the prefrontal cortex - the area responsible for clear thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. Clients often describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more focused after just a few sessions.

Solution Focused Hypnotherapy also strengthens emotional resilience. Through positive psychology, visualisation, and solution-focused conversation, you learn to notice what’s working, reinforce positive patterns, and build confidence in your ability to cope. As new neural pathways form, the brain’s reward system - driven by dopamine - begins to favour calm, consistent behaviour rather than reactive stress. Over time, you may find you worry less about mistakes, feel more confident managing emotions, sleep better, and experience fewer physical symptoms such as tension or a racing heart.

Unlike traditional therapies that dwell on the problem, SFH focuses on creating change through the brain’s natural neuroplasticity - its ability to rewire and adapt. The process helps you develop a healthier relationship with your mind, using mindfulness-based trance to pause, breathe, and respond rather than react. This shift builds long-term calm, focus, and self-trust. Many people find this approach especially useful if they’ve tried CBT, medication, or coaching but still feel stuck in cycles of anxiety and overwhelm.

If you’re living with both ADHD and anxiety, remember: you’re not failing or broken. Your brain simply processes the world differently and needs tailored support. Solution Focused Hypnotherapy offers a gentle, evidence-based way to reduce anxiety, strengthen emotional control, and help you move forward with confidence. It’s a compassionate, non-judgemental approach that empowers you to quiet the noise, rebuild focus, and feel more in control of your life - one step at a time.