Working with Teens with ADHD and Anxiety
By: Dominique Burchard, LPC-Associate
Supervised by Dr. Megha Pulianda, PhD, LPC-S
Why is working with teens who have ADHD and anxiety so meaningful to me?
Because it’s close to home.
I have family members with ADHD and learning differences, and I’ve seen firsthand how confusing, frustrating, and exhausting it can be to grow up feeling like your brain works differently than everyone else’s. That personal experience has given me a deep respect for the resilience and creativity it takes to manage those challenges every day, and it’s a big part of why I’m passionate about this work.
3 Things I’ve Learned About ADHD and Anxiety
1. ADHD and anxiety often show up together, and they can feed off each other.
Research shows that roughly 30–40% of people with ADHD also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder, which means many teens are navigating both attention and emotional regulation challenges at the same time. When anxiety piles on top of ADHD, it can intensify self-doubt, avoidance, and perfectionism. Understanding how the two interact helps us move away from blame and toward compassion and practical tools for both.
2. Emotional regulation is just as important as attention.
Both ADHD and anxiety can make emotions feel bigger and harder to manage. A small mistake might feel like a catastrophe, or a simple task might feel overwhelming. Learning to slow down, notice what’s happening in the body, and use grounding or calming strategies can make daily life feel much more manageable.
3. Strengths often come from the same place as challenges.
The same brain that struggles to stay on task might also be deeply intuitive, creative, and full of big ideas. Many teens with ADHD and anxiety have strong empathy, curiosity, and a unique way of seeing the world. Helping them recognize and celebrate those traits builds confidence and resilience.
Building Confidence and Connection
As a counselor, I strive to create a space where teens feel understood and accepted exactly as they are. I am a big believer in the importance of collaboration. Together, we work on understanding how ADHD and anxiety show up in their daily life, building practical strategies to make things feel more manageable, and developing confidence in their unique strengths. My goal is to help each teen feel less alone, more in control, and empowered to see their differences not as deficits, but as important parts of who they are.
