ADHD, ANXIETY AND THE WORRY BEHIND THE BEHAVIOUR
Anxiety does not always look frightened.
In children with ADHD it may appear as anger, refusal, perfectionism, repeated questions, physical symptoms, controlling behaviour, procrastination, avoidance or an intense need to know exactly what will happen.
This standalone parent resource helps families look underneath the behaviour without assuming that every difficult moment is anxiety.
It explores fear of mistakes, rejection and belonging, uncertainty, school performance, reassurance seeking, perfectionism, masking, sleep and the cycle that can develop when avoiding something makes anxiety feel temporarily better.
The guide also looks at the relationship between ADHD and anxiety. Executive-function difficulties, lost belongings, forgotten instructions, impulsive mistakes and repeated criticism can all create experiences a child later learns to anticipate with worry.
Parents are given practical ways to validate distress without reinforcing shame, reduce large demands to manageable steps, respond when anger may be carrying fear and help a child build evidence that they can cope even when they feel anxious.
There is also guidance on working with school and recognising when family accommodation has gradually become part of the worry cycle.
The downloadable PDF includes a detailed “What Is the Worry Behind the Behaviour?” Parent Map, helping families identify triggers, feared outcomes, reassurance patterns, avoidance, physical sensations and possible next steps.
It also explains when anxiety, physical symptoms, school difficulties or changes in functioning need additional professional support.
The aim is not to make a child fearless.
It is to help them feel understood, recognise what anxiety is doing and gradually discover that worry can be present without controlling every part of their life.
Space to Breathe Therapy
Standalone ADHD Parent Resource
