Living With ADHD and General Anxiety

By: Lisa Evans

I want to start by saying that I am not a medical professional and I am in no way qualified to diagnose any type of mental condition. I am sharing my experience and how I sought professional help to confirm my diagnosis. If you see similarities between my experience and yours, please seek professional assistance for help.

In the Fall of 2019, I began noticing that I was having a hard time focusing on projects while at work. I also noticed that it was very difficult for me to listen and pay attention to someone when having a conversation with them. And while I was driving, I would have racing thoughts that would distract me from focusing on the road and it seemed like I couldn’t get control of them. My inability to focus began affecting my ability to perform well at work and my supervisor took notice. This was unlike my past self because I have always been able to focus well at work and perform at a high level so this behavior made me feel uneasy.

So, I did what anyone who has questions about their health would do and I turned to a very trusted source to find out more information. I began googling! In the search bar, I typed in phrases like “inability to focus”, “racing thoughts” and other symptoms I was experiencing. Now, I wouldn’t recommend that you do the same if you’re curious about your health. Please always seek professional medical advice for any questions before self-diagnosing or self-medicating. I started with Google but eventually was diagnosed by a doctor. 

After conducting my Google search, I decided to talk with my mom about what I was experiencing. After telling her about what I had been going through over the course of a few months, she shared with me that I had actually been diagnosed with ADHD as a young child although I had no recollection of this happening. All throughout my academic years, I performed fairly well so I never really thought about having any type of condition or disorder that typically affects learning abilities. When she shared that with me, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head. I was relieved because I finally felt like what I was going through made sense. 

At times, I thought less of myself because of my inability to recall information after speaking with someone. I felt lazy because it was difficult for me to get started on work projects and remain focused on them. All around, I just felt like I was not doing the best that I could as an adult and I was worried because I had found out that I was accepted into graduate school to start the next Fall. I didn’t want to start school just to struggle through. If I was going to commit to getting my master’s degree, I wanted to be fully prepared to perform the best I can. 

I decided to make a doctor’s appointment to get checked out. It took a couple of months to get seen by someone but sitting down with a mental health professional was one of the best decisions I’ve made! During my sessions with the psychologist, we talked about my childhood, the symptoms I was experiencing and what could be the cause. After a couple of sessions, the doctor diagnosed me with ADHD but not only that, we came to the conclusion that I was also experiencing general anxiety disorder. 

Part of my inability to focus and my racing thoughts was due to anxiety that I was feeling about a particular thought that came into my mind. I would often fixate on that thought for sometimes as long as hours thinking of every bad possibility and outcome that could occur. I constantly worried about my family and friends. I was in constant fear about situations that had no chance of happening. I lived with fear. 

What I decided would be best for me in regards to managing my ADHD symptoms was a combination of medication, eating a balanced diet, making sure I get adequate rest and sleep and counseling. What I decided would be best for me in regards to managing my general anxiety symptoms was a spiritual approach.

I’ve decided to memorize scripture to help combat my fears which turn into anxiety. One of the scriptures that I’ve memorized is Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” This helps me to shift my focus onto good things that God has planned for not only myself but for my friends and family as well. The enemy would like nothing more than for me to be bound up in imaginary fear. He would love for me to continue creating situations in my mind that may never come to pass instead of trusting and believing God for my present and my future.

If you’re similar to me and you have been diagnosed with any form of mental, neurodevelopmental, emotional or physical disorder, there are two things I want you to know. It is perfectly fine to seek out professional help for what you’re experiencing. God placed qualified people in those positions to help give us words and terms to what we’re feeling and going through. You are not inadequate if you seek out those services. 

The second thing to know is that God is with you. I never thought I would be one to experience anxiety as I saw it differently in other people than how it came about in myself. Understanding that I am not in control of my life therefore I cannot control what happens in the future, forces me to rely on the One who is in control. Hiding scripture in my heart that reminds me of how good God is and how He only has good things for me, helps to relieve the anxiety I feel about the unknown. 

Remember these two things and be well, sister!