If you have ever been in a relationship with a narcissist, you know that one of the side-effects is a crippling kind of anxiety – one that makes you stop talking to the people you once felt closest to and focus only on the narcissist’s needs/wants/manipulative games.
BUT did you know that anxiety can also affect your attention span? As it turns out, you might even have developed a case of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s true – researchers have found that there is a link between these conditions.
If you have anxiety, then you’re more likely to have attention disorders. Researchers believe there is a brain connection between them. Initial studies on teens reveal that they’re more likely to have both issues together.
If you have anxiety or trouble concentrating, it might be a direct result of your relationship with a toxic narcissist. I’ll fill you in on the research and explain the connection in this video.
Did you know there’s a connection between ADHD and toxic-relationship-induced anxiety? Share your thoughts experiences and ideas in the comments section and let’s discuss it.
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If you have anxiety or trouble concentrating, consider these discoveries:
1. The link between anxiety and attention. Researchers at the University of Texas discovered that your anxiety and attention span are linked. * They found that teens who have anxiety are also more likely to perform worse in school because of attention issues. They also saw a connection between anxiety and other mental health issues like depression and suicide. * Researchers shared that in some cases anxiety appeared first while in other cases attention span issues appeared first. Recognizing the first issue can help families deal with the second one. * Teens who had issues concentrating were also more likely to have anxiety. Experts believe there is a deeper reason for this in the brain.
2. Unconscious anxiety. Medical experts believe unconscious anxiety can explain some cases of attention deficit disorders. * Unconscious anxiety occurs when you don’t recognize you’re actually suffering from worry and concern. You have trouble concentrating, so you blame it on your poor attention span. However, in reality, your unconscious anxiety is actually preventing you from being able to focus. * The root of this anxiety can be buried among deeper emotional issues.
3. Overlapping symptoms. The symptoms of anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can overlap. The shared symptoms can include having trouble concentrating and focusing on one task. They can also include not having control over your impulses, being irritable, feeling scared and being afraid to try new things. * It’s not always easy to tell apart anxiety and attention disorders.
4. Treatment and help. If you or someone you care about has anxiety and attention issues, seeking help may bring real benefits. * Treatment options can include medication to control anxiety and help attention spans. * Another treatment option is therapy that helps adjust behavior. * Meditation and relaxation are also commonly used to help with both disorders.
5. The role of learning disabilities. It’s important to avoid overlooking learning disabilities that can exacerbate anxiety and attention issues. Researchers have noticed that all three issues can occur together. * In some cases, learning disabilities are not caught right away as a child starts school. Children are sometimes able to compensate for their learning disabilities, so the issues go undiagnosed. * However, anxiety and attention disorders can be worse in children with learning disabilities. By focusing on the learning issues, these kids have the chance to succeed in school and reduce their anxiety. * A child with a learning disability can feel anxious before every test or quiz in school and try to avoid classes. In addition, the same child can be so stressed out that they’re unable to concentrate on the simplest tasks. The learning disability makes these issues stronger and more difficult to treat. * It’s important to note that kids aren’t the only ones who suffer from all three conditions. Adults can spend years being misdiagnosed or not getting the proper treatments. Anxiety and attention issues can appear together. If you or a loved one suffers from these issues, current research can help you understand what is happening in the brain and seek treatment that can help.
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Angela Atkinson is a Certified Life Coach and the author of more than 20 books on narcissism, narcissistic abuse recovery and related topics. A recognized expert on narcissism and narcissistic personality disorder who has studied and written extensively on narcissistic relationships since 2006, Atkinson was inspired to begin her work as a result of having survived toxic relationships of her own.
Atkinson offers trauma-informed coaching and has certifications in life coaching, level 2 therapeutic model, CBT coaching, integrative wellness coaching, and NLP. She is a certified trauma support coach and certified family trauma professional. She also has a professional PTSD counseling certification. Her mission is to help those who have experienced the emotional and mental devastation that comes with narcissistic abuse in these incredibly toxic relationships to (re)discover their true selves, stop the gaslighting and manipulation and move forward into their genuine desires – into a life that is exactly what they choose for themselves.
Along with her solution-focused life coaching experience, Atkinson’s previous career in journalism and research helps her to offer both accurate and understandable information for survivors of abuse in a simple-to-understand way that helps to increase awareness in the narcissistic abuse recovery community. Atkinson founded QueenBeeing.com Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Support, the SPANily Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Support Groups and the Life Makeover Academy. In her life coaching practice, Atkinson’s clients enjoy her personalized approach that allows and encourages them to become the best possible versions of themselves and to succeed in doing what they love most. She offers individual and group coaching for victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse at NarcissisticAbuseRecovery.Online and NarcissismSupportCoach.com.
My husband’s therapist recently told my husband and I that he isn’t a narcissist but suffers from a narcissistic wound. A lot of his behaviors though appear to be narcissistic behaviors though. He says he does feel bad for the things he does and wants to change, but I feel like I’m at the end of my rope while I try to stick by him through our therapy and a men’s group that he goes to for other issues. Since he’s not a narcissist like my therapist says, is there anything I can do for myself to help me get through this?