Untangling ADHD: How Anxiety, Sleep, and Caffeine All Play a Role ...

Working with ADHD clients has shown me it is never JUST ADHD symptoms alone that clients are trying to figure out.

There is often SO much more to Untangle.

Yes, understanding and managing ADHD is critical - but looking beyond the obvious symptoms to address the factors that often accompany it (and have been for years) such as anxiety, sleep patterns, caffeine sensitivity, depression and co-occurring conditions like autism or menopause - is essential to feeling better.

Considering how each of these elements can profoundly affect my clients mental well-being forms the basis of my approach to ADHD Support sessions.

Together we take time to go into the small life details that matter.

This forms the basis of my comprehensive approach that considers how all these overlapping influences are impacting and in turn can make a world of difference in how clients experience and manage ADHD.

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Additional ADHD Challenges

Many clients face additional challenges that can exacerbate ADHD symptoms or make management more difficult.

Conversations with any diagnosing professional will be listening out for what else is happening alongside your ADHD.

Additional ADHD co factors I see as a Counsellor:

🌀ADHD and Anxiety

🌀ADHD and Autism

🌀ADHD and Sleep issues

🌀ADHD and OCD

🌀ADHD and Depression

🌀ADHD and Menopause issues

🌀ADHD and Dyslexia

Addressing Co-occurring Conditions

Many individuals with ADHD also experience co-occurring conditions, such as Dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both ADHD and ASD involve overlapping traits, like difficulty with social cues, sensory sensitivities, and challenges with executive functioning. For clients managing both conditions, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work - especially for long term Anxiety.

ADHD and Anxiety

This is the most common challenges adults with ADHD struggle with.

Long Term Anxiety is a life experience that often sits alongside ADHD. It can play a major part in heightening impulsivity, distractibility, emotional regulation and feelings of overwhelm.

As an intensifier of ADHD symptoms, working on the root cause of the anxiety is an essential part of therapy.

Many adults - especially women will have been (mis)diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder - long before their ADHD Diagnosis, spending many years on various therapies, supplements or on anti-depressants.

Similarly, sleep issues—which are often overlooked—can make it nearly impossible to manage symptoms effectively. A poor night’s sleep due to a hyperactive mind or work addiction can result in heightened distractibility, irritability, and an overall reduced ability to focus.

Understanding the Impact of Lifestyle Choices on ADHD Symptoms

As a British psychotherapist with a specialty in ADHD, I work with clients to identify the role lifestyle choices play in their symptoms.

For many ADHDers caffeine is commonly consumed to boost energy and focus, but fit can be a double-edged sword. While some people with ADHD find caffeine helps them concentrate, others experience increased jitteriness and anxiety, which can aggravate symptoms. Part of my approach is helping clients identify their unique responses to stimulants like caffeine and those in the environment around them.

The Value of a Holistic, Individualised Approach to ADHD

My work with clients is centered on crafting personalised strategies that acknowledge their full experience, not just their ADHD symptoms.

By taking a holistic approach, we can address all the moving parts—caffeine use, sleep, anxiety, and more—in a way that empowers clients. It’s this blend of targeted ADHD strategies with broader lifestyle adjustments that enables my clients to see real progress and feel more balanced in their daily lives.

Addressing ADHD effectively means embracing all the factors that impact mental well-being. With the right approach, individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and thrive. My goal is to guide clients through this journey, giving them the skills and insight to lead lives that feel more aligned, focused, and fulfilling.

Get in touch with me to find out what good support would look like for you.

Rebecca