ADHD and Anxiety: Understanding the Overlap and How We Can Help Ourselves

In this wisdom episode of The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, we’re revisiting one of our top episodes of 2025 with clinical psychologist, Dr Russell Ramsay.Together, we explore the powerful link between ADHD and anxiety, and why so many women experience both. This conversation offers a validating look at how ADHD’s constant uncertainty can fuel anxious thoughts, self-doubt and overthinking, and why there is nothing “wrong” with you for feeling this way.​We unpack how anxiety can act as an alarm system, what it might be trying to signal based on past experiences, and how tools like CBT, emotional labelling and distanced self-talk can help you move through anxious moments with more clarity and self-compassion.My new book, The ADHD Women's Wellbeing Toolkit, is now available, grab your copy here!Key Takeaways:Why anxiety and ADHD are so often intertwined stemming from a fear of uncertainty An explanation of why stimulants (for some people) can lower anxiety by improving focus and reducing mental chaosUnderstanding what your anxiety is trying to protect you from and how to build self-confidence Where RSD and social anxiety come from and why it they can feel more intense for ADHD womenSeeing anxiety as an alarm system rather than a personal failing to support more confident choices How tolerating discomfort can help you get started with anxiety-provoking tasksSimple tools like emotional labelling and distance self-talk to calm your inner chatter and reduce catastrophic thinkingTimestamps:00:06 - Reflecting on Previous Episodes01:55 - Understanding the Connection Between ADHD and Anxiety08:48 - Understanding Anxiety and Emotions12:06 - Managing Anxiety and Emotional Awareness14:38 - Understanding Distanced Self TalkThe More Yourself Community doors are now open!More Yourself is a compassionate space for late-diagnosed ADHD women to connect, reflect, and come home to who they really are. Sign up here!Inside the More Yourself Membership, you’ll be able to:Connect with like-minded women who understand you Learn from guest experts and practical toolsReceive compassionate prompts & gentle remindersEnjoy voice-note encouragement from KateJoin flexible meet-ups and mentoring sessionsAccess on-demand workshops and quarterly guest expert sessionsTo join for £26 a month, click here. To join for £286 for a year (a whole month free!), click here.We’ll also be walking through The ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Toolkit together, exploring nervous system regulation, burnout recovery, RSD, joy, hormones, and self-trust, so the book comes alive in a supportive community setting.Links and Resources:Find my popular ADHD workshops and resources on my website [here].Follow the podcast on Instagram: @adhd_womenswellbeing_pod Visit Russell's website www.cbt4adhd.comCheck out Ethan Kross' book Chatter: The Voice in Our Head and How to Harness ItKate Moryoussef is a women's ADHD lifestyle and wellbeing coach and EFT practitioner who helps overwhelmed and unfulfilled newly diagnosed ADHD women find more calm, balance, hope, health, compassion, creativity and clarity.