The Truth About Anxiety & ADHD: Life-Changing Tools From a Renowned Psychiatrist
The Mel Robbins Podcast with Dr. Tracey Marks, MD
Listen to the Mel Robbins Podcast twice per week, every Monday and Thursday, to create a better life.
If you’re anxious, overwhelmed, uncertain, or find yourself wondering “what is wrong with me?” then this episode is for you.
Today, world-renowned psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks, MD is here to deliver the truth about what’s really going on in your brain, body, and most importantly: what you can do about it.
If you deal with anxiety, ADHD symptoms, trouble focusing, procrastination, stomach problems, skin picking, and always running late… you need to hear today’s episode.
You are not broken.
You don’t need fixing.
You just need the right tools.
And today, you’re going to get them.
With over 25 years of clinical experience and more than 2 million followers on YouTube, Dr. Marks is known for making complex mental health topics clear, relatable, and actionable.
In this powerful conversation, she breaks down the surprising science behind anxiety and ADHD and gives you the exact tools she shares with her patients to stop spiraling and start feeling more in control.
You’ll learn:
- Why you fidget, overthink, or shut down under pressure
- The hidden links between anxiety, ADHD, stomach issues, skin picking, and always running late
- The #1 tool to interrupt anxiety in the moment
- Why labeling yourself “an anxious person” might be making things worse for you or your loved ones
- Small but powerful habits that rewire your brain for calm, focus, and confidence
This episode is your science-backed, therapist-approved toolkit for mental clarity, emotional balance, and real relief.
If you liked this episode, and want to know more about ADHD and what you can do today to focus and feel better, listen to this episode next: 6 Surprising Signs of Adult ADHD
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In this episode:
- 12:38: How Anxiety Manifests in the Body.
- 25:27: Using Interoceptive Exposure to Manage Anxiety.
- 30:13: The Physiology of Anxiety Explained.
- 38:28: Exploring Phobias and Social Anxiety.
- 51:20: Practical Behavioral Tools for Anxiety Relief.
- 55:20: Lifestyle Strategies That Support Anxiety Recovery.
- 01:01:01: The Overlap Between ADHD and Anxiety.
- 01:08:53: How ADHD Impacts Focus, Motivation, and Daily Functioning.
- 01:17:20: What You Need To Know About Nail Biting, Skin Picking, and Hair Pulling
- 01:29:17: The Link Between ADHD, Perfectionism, and Procrastination.
Featured Expert: Dr. Tracey Marks, MD
- Subscribe to Dr. Mark’s YouTube channel
- Visit the Mental Wellness Store
- Check out her website
- Follow her on Instagram
- Read her books, Why Am I So Anxious?, Bipolar Basics, and Master Your Sleep
Additional Resources:
- Psychiatry.org: What is ADHD?
- National Institute of Mental Health: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Mayo Clinic: Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
- Cleveland Clinic: What is an anxiety disorder?
- National Alliance on Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Navigating Anxiety in Women with ADHD: Understanding, Managing, and Thriving
- International Society for Research in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology: Early Development of Comorbidity Between Symptoms of ADHD and Anxiety
- Behavior Therapy: Anxiety Sensitivity and Interoceptive Exposure: A Transdiagnostic Construct and Change Strategy
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: 5 Tips for Using Interoceptive Exposure to Face Your Fears
- American Psychological Association: What Is Exposure Therapy?
- Cleveland Clinic: Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) Disorders
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs)
- The TLC Foundation for Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior: What Is a BFRB?
- Attention Deficit Disorder Association: ADHD Time Blindness: How to Detect It & Regain Control Over Time
- UCI Health: Coping with time blindness and ADHD
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