Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Anxiety in college students With ADHD: relationship to cognitive functioning
Anxiety, ADHD, and Cognitive Functioning
Frances Prevatt , Vincent Dehili , Nicki Taylor , Diana Marshall
Summarized by:
July 17, 2023
study source
J Atten Disord
Mar 2015
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What they studied
Researchers wanted to study the link between ADHD, anxiety, and cognitive functioning among college students.
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What they found
Anxiety and panic attacks are common among those with ADHD, particularly in academics. Those who struggled with paying attention may have performed slightly better with a little anxiety.
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What this means
The link between ADHD and anxiety is complex. In most cases, it’s likely detrimental, causing panic attacks. But it may offer benefits in specific scenarios.
Anxiety in college students With ADHD: relationship to cognitive functioning
Objectives
Anxiety has been closely associated with ADHD. Many who are diagnosed with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. Studies have also shown that having anxiety can affect ADHD symptoms:
This study wanted to understand better how anxiety impacts college students with ADHD, particularly how it affects their ability to think and reason.
Study Quote
This study sought to explore how anxiety impacts college students with ADHD, especially with regard to cognitive functioning.
Methods
Researchers recruited college students with ADHD and a comparison group without ADHD.
They asked the students to report their ADHD symptoms and anxiety and performed cognitive tests.
Study Quote
473 college students with ADHD and a control group of 200 college students without ADHD completed self-report measures of anxiety, ADHD symptomatology and tests of cognitive functioning.
Results
As expected, anxiety was far more common among students with ADHD. Based on the data, students were particularly likely to be anxious about academics. Because of their anxiety, they were also more likely to experience panic attacks from academics.
A study of anxiety among college students with ADHD found that those with ADHD are much more likely to be anxious about academics. They were also more likely to have panic attacks about academics
There was an interesting relationship between anxiety and inattention on cognitive tests. For students with high levels of inattention, those with low anxiety performed better than those with high anxiety.
However, for those with low levels of inattention, those with high anxiety performed better than those with low levels of anxiety.
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When symptoms of inattention were low, those higher in anxiety performed better on the cognitive task than those low in anxiety. However, when symptoms of inattention were high, those higher in anxiety performed worse on the cognitive task than those lower in anxiety.
Study Quote
Students with ADHD reported significantly more anxiety than students without ADHD. Within the ADHD group, the relationship between anxiety and inattention was similar to the relationship between anxiety and hyperactivity/impulsivity. Students with ADHD reported more anxiety with regard t...
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Conclusions
This suggests that, in certain cases, a little anxiety may benefit those with ADHD. Those with ADHD who don't struggle as much with inattention may do better on a cognitive challenge with a small dose of anxiety. But, more research will be needed to confirm this effect.
Study Quote
Anxiety in college students with ADHD can take many forms, and interventions require a multi-focused approach. There may be some positive aspects to anxiety.