High Anxiety and ADD symptoms

I made a post on another hub about my situation about my Dad and his stroke he had about 5 days ago. My stress levels are high and I realize my anxiety is intense after this event. It's causing my ADHD symptoms to be on full display. I'm all over the place. I can't concentrate and focus on things I need to get done. There are other symptoms but these are my main concern. What are the techniques to handle stress, anxiety, and ADHD during highly emotional situations like this?

[MsPop]

Hi! I am going to suggest something that helps me though i have trouble doing it on a regular basis. Meditation. Because of ADD - I meditate to a chant or classical music - it occupies my ADD mind. I find that when I sit - and just be — my mind and anxiety will race at the start, but then I will invariably chill out and experience a sense of peace I rarely can find.

[MsPop in reply to MsPop]

I don’t meditate for a ling time, maybe 5-15 min. And when im done - my mind feels clearer and Im able to focus on one or 2 things that need attention.

[Hidden in reply to MsPop]

Meditation sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure who to go about it but I'll put some time to do so. I always forget that music is a form of medicine, so I'll get some of my favorite melodies ready when I'm not doing too well. Thanks for the great advice.

[The_wOnderer]

May be weird but I try to calm down my inner child sitting alone in a quiet place, rocking myself gently and singing lullabies, while trying to be emotionally connected to her. Sometimes I talk, I try to make her feel loved and safe. I also have c-ptsd and this often helps with difficult emotional states.

[Hidden in reply to The_wOnderer]

I think I need to try to emotionally connect with my inner child. It's soo easy to overlook her when things get hard. I'll definitely take the time to connect with her. Thanks a bunch!

[ADHD33]

I might reach out to my psychiatrist and see if there are any additional medications that might help temporarily. Second - I know he would likely recommend exercise (in addition to any add-in medication). If you have thirty minutes to spare, can you do daily cardio workouts? Might help to get some of those emotions out? When I’m most stressed my head seems to clear while running!

[Hidden in reply to ADHD33]

I've noticed that exercising does help with my mental state. I haven't put much time into it lately. I need to start again! Running sounds like a great idea! Thanks!

[IgnoranceWasNotBliss]

Your extra stress is certainly warranted. I think you should give yourself a break. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself right now. Inform work or any other obligations that there’s been a family emergency and ask for some reprieve. When I’m extra stressed I dabble with things like kava tea, GABA and L-theanine. Yogi makes a stress kava tea that you can probably find in your local grocery store. The important part is the kava. It’s like having a glass of wine except it’s not intoxicating. It just takes the edge off, so to speak.

Hope this helps.

[Hidden in reply to IgnoranceWasNotBliss]

Oh wow, I have GABA in my cabinet! I've never heard of kava tea but I'll definitely purchase some. Thank you for the tips!

[mcfail]

I'll start with a DON'T - don't give in to self medication via alcohol or recreational drugs - it is maybe tempting but all it will really do is make you less effective and potentially open the door to inappropriate decisions, comments etc.

DO - reach out to family/friends for support - if they know of your ADHD and the accompanying symptoms they may be able to help you stay "on". Yes exercise never hurts - can blow off some "steam" and give you some brief time to "regroup". Take every hour/day one at a time - don't try to climb the mountain - just one foot in front of the other, with a little help from your friends. Lastly yes to meditation or mindfulness exercises if you have them. Maybe a friend is competent at this and can coach/help. I cant say much about it as I am just stating down that path myself. There are a LOT of folks out here rooting for you - hang in there