Overlap with ADHD
Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a neurobiological condition that interferes with a child's ability to focus attention, stay organized, resist impulses, and follow through on tasks. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has the additional component of hyperactivity, which involves restlessness, impulsivity in speech and action, and an internal sense of being “revved up.” Many parents may suspect that their child has ADHD at some time. In fact, a survey of the literature reveals that ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorder, affecting some 3 to 5 percent of all school-aged children.
A child with ADHD may feel an internal sense the world is moving too fast, and he may have trouble paying attention because his mind is wrapped up in his multiple thoughts and worries. Children with anxiety can also suffer from thoughts and worries that seem unstoppable, and they may appear inattentive as a result. Similarly, children with ADHD may experience depression or anxiety because it is so difficult for them to meet the demands of their topsy-turvy world. To help you clarify things, as you read the descriptions below, focus on whether your child seems to have more difficulty than other children his age.
Alert!
Because ADHD can seriously affect your child's ability to learn, socialize, and develop the confidence, organization, and self-management skills he will need in adulthood, it is especially important to address this factor. However, it is just as important not to leap to conclusions without supporting facts.
Academic Problems
Most children with ADHD show signs of their distractibility and or impulsivity in the school setting. They may be unable to stay at their desks, focus on the teacher, or work for more than a few minutes without needing redirection. This applies to doing homework as well. It is typical for students with ADHD to have trouble managing assignments, and completing and turning in homework. You or someone close to your child may see this as laziness or underachievement, but it is not. Children with ADHD have physiological differences that prevent them from focusing. The overall effect is often reflected in poor grades or failure to progress in subjects. Children with anxiety often show restlessness and inattention as well and may have trouble with homework if they feel overwhelmed.
Your child's teacher can usually tell you whether she suspects that ADHD, rather than anxiety, is at the root of your child's trouble with schoolwork, or is an issue in the classroom. Keep in mind that ADD, because it lacks the behavioral component of hyperactivity, can be difficult to detect and may be more likely to mimic anxiety.
Behavior Problems
Children with ADHD or anxiety may have behavioral problems at home or school because of high levels of frustration. Typically, children with both disorders have more trouble transitioning between activities. For a child with ADHD it might be because it is so difficult for him to organize and sequence his thoughts and actions. For a child with anxiety it is due to fear, anticipation of failure, or feelings of being out of control. What you will see behaviorally is tantrums or meltdowns.
Essential
If your child's anxiety has obsessive qualities, he might spend hours writing one paper and not be able to complete any other work. This can look like laziness, procrastination, or ADD-style disorganization to you. However, it is important to realize that, in this instance, your child's anxiety is driven by a need for perfection and the fear that whatever he does is never good enough and must be redone.
Social Problems
Children with ADHD often have trouble making and keeping friends because of their impulsivity, which others see as odd or immature. Children with anxiety can also have unusual habits or ways of relating to others that can seem puzzling or unacceptable to their peers, as shared previously. For children who struggle with either, the rejection they feel can cause low self-esteem or depression, which leads to a sense of isolation and hopelessness about the future.
Temperament
Developments in the study of temperament have identified characteristics of children who do not quite seem to “fit the mold.” One of the most significant patterns child specialists have identified is the active-alert child.
Fact
Research suggests that as many as four times more boys than girls have ADHD, showing both attention difficulties and hyperactivity. Girls are more likely than boys to have ADD, without hyperactivity. This can be a dilemma for girls, who are often diagnosed at later ages because they are less likely to show behavior problems.
Linda Budd, Ph.D., in Living with the Active Alert Child identifies active-alert children as having these traits as well as others: They are active, alert, bright, controlling, fearful, intense, can need attention, and have difficulty getting along with others. Notice the overlap with the symptoms of the child with anxiety. Active-alert children are often considered gifted as well, so if you feel your child has these qualities, be sure to pay attention to the section on giftedness below.
