ADHD vs anxiety: which is which and could you have both?

When it comes to ADHD vs anxiety, it can be difficult to tell them apart, even though they’re 2 different conditions. They share some symptoms and can also exist together and intensify each other’s effects. And alone or together,  they can have a significant impact on how you feel and function every day. 

To learn more about the similarities and differences between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety, how they’re diagnosed and treated, and whether you may have both, keep reading. 

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ADHD vs anxiety: at a glance

The symptoms of ADHD and anxiety can overlap. Data shows that more than two-thirds of adults with ADFHD have another condition, such as anxiety. And, ADHD can often worsen anxiety symptoms and vice versa. 

Here’s a quick look at which symptoms are associated with ADHD vs anxiety or both.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by worry, fear, and nervousness. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, and specific phobias. You can develop an anxiety disorder at any age. Though symptoms of anxiety often develop during childhood and adolescence. 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition typically diagnosed in childhood. Sometimes symptoms are overlooked or misdiagnosed, so some people may not be diagnosed until later in life. ADHD symptoms are primarily related to inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

The relationship between ADHD and anxiety in an individual isn’t always clear. A person can develop an anxiety disorder and experience anxiety symptoms due to their ADHD. If a person’s ADHD symptoms (like difficulty focusing and trouble concentrating) cause them excessive worry about their performance at work or school, it could lead to them developing social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, or other comorbid anxiety disorders.

When considering anxiety vs ADHD, it can be helpful to understand how these conditions are similar and different. 

ADHD vs anxiety similarities

Anxiety and ADHD have similar symptoms, including:

• Irritability. Changes make you feel angry. For people with ADHD and anxiety, it’s often hard to deal with expecting things to go 1 way and then finding out that they don’t. The inability to “roll with things” can lead to feeling annoyed or angry. Read more about ADHD and anger.
• Trouble sleeping. Adults with ADHD and/or anxiety frequently suffer from insomnia or sleeping problems. People with ADHD tend to have trouble calming their minds when it’s time for sleep. Those with anxiety wrestle with excess worry and fear, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Sleep disorders can worsen anxiety, creating a negative cycle where you sleep less and anxiety symptoms worsen.
• Restlessness. Adults with ADHD can struggle to relax, or feel tense or on edge. In adults with anxiety, this might look like racing thoughts, irritability, or pacing.
• Difficulty concentrating. Someone with an anxiety disorder finds it difficult to concentrate during certain situations that cause them to feel anxious (triggers). Yet someone with ADHD finds it difficult to concentrate most or all of the time.  
• Fatigue. ADHD fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of ADHD. It’s also common with anxiety but not often discussed. All of the above symptoms of restlessness and troubled sleep lead to an inevitable crash, and with that comes fatigue whether you have ADHD, anxiety, or both.
  

While the conditions share these symptoms, they may present differently and vary from person to person. 

ADHD vs anxiety differences

The symptoms of ADHD are slightly different from those of an anxiety disorder. Recognizing their differences is the first step in helping you determine if you have ADHD, anxiety, or both. 

ADHD symptoms primarily involve issues with:

• Inattention. If you have inattention symptoms, you likely have issues with focus and organization. Paying attention to and managing details is difficult because you struggle with forgetfulness and ADHD or become easily distracted while working on something. This can lead to feelings of frustration. 
• Hyperactivity. People with hyperactivity tend to be restless. Sitting still can be difficult, and they might need to be constantly moving and fidget, tap, or squirm. They may also have difficulty concentrating and talking excessively. This can be from ADHD overstimulation. 
• Impulsivity. People struggling with impulsivity often act before thinking. This can look like interrupting others, having difficulty waiting their turn, angry outbursts, or engaging in risky or self-destructive behaviors like excessive spending. 

Anxiety disorder symptoms include problems with: 

• Nervousness. If you have an anxiety disorder, you may often experience severe feelings of nervousness, worry, and even debilitating anxiety. These feelings can come on frequently and without an obvious stressor. Many physical sensations can accompany nervousness, including a dry mouth, sweaty palms, dizziness, and feelings of self-doubt.
• Dread. Anxiety disorders can cause intense dread, fear of the worst, feeling on edge, or a general sense of panic. Dread can creep into almost every aspect of day-to-day life, causing a general sense of unease. This sort of anxiety attack is less intense than a panic attack but longer-lasting. It can make leading a “normal life” difficult and relaxation impossible. 
• Overwhelming worry. GAD is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about many different things. There’s a tendency to anticipate disaster and be overly concerned about money, health, family, work, and other issues.
• Physical symptoms. Anxiety can also cause physical symptoms. These can range from sweaty hands or shaky legs to an elevated heart rate, nausea, and digestive trouble. Specific types of anxiety can have additional physical symptoms, such as chest pain, numbness or tingling sensations, dizziness, overheating, or chills.

Diagnosing ADHD and anxiety

The best way to find out if you have ADHD, anxiety, or both is to talk to a licensed mental health provider. They’ll ask about your medical and mental health history and what’s been going on for you lately. It helps if you can tell them how often, how intense, how long, and how your symptoms affect you in your daily life.

Your provider may also ask you to complete questionnaires and assessments to gather more information about your experience. It can also help to seek information from your loved ones. Asking a trusted person like a parent or caregiver, partner, sibling, or friend can provide insight into how your symptoms have affected you at home, work, school, and in relationships throughout your life. Sharing this information with your provider offers a fuller picture of what you’re going through. 

There are differences in how ADHD and anxiety are diagnosed and treated. Anxiety disorders are diagnosed based on persistent and excessive fear or worry about everyday situations or events. ADHD is diagnosed based on inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity symptoms that interfere with daily functioning. Learn more about diagnosing ADHD in adults.

Your provider may consider a diagnosis if your symptoms are related to inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. If worry, fear, or nervousness are the main symptoms you’re having, your provider might talk to you about anxiety disorders. 

Treating anxiety vs ADHD

Anxiety treatment options and ADHD treatment can include medication, therapy, or a combination of both (usually the most effective). 

Depending on the type of anxiety you have, your provider may use 1 of the following to treat your symptoms:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

To help you manage symptoms of ADHD, your provider may recommend:

• CBT
• Behavioral therapy
• Family therapy
• Parenting skills training

Medication can be an effective way to alleviate symptoms of anxiety or ADHD and bring them to a more manageable level. For anxiety, your provider may prescribe antidepressants, like Paxil (paroxetine) or Effexor (venlafaxine), beta-blockers, such as Inderal (propranolol) and Kapvay (clonidine), or benzodiazepines, like Xanax (alprazolam) or Klonopin (clonazepam). Antidepressants work by increasing brain chemicals like serotonin and noradrenaline, while beta-blockers work by blocking adrenaline. Benzodiazepines increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that calms you by slowing down messages to your nervous system.

There are 2 types of medication commonly used to treat ADHD: stimulants, like Jornay PM (methylphenidate), Ritalin (methylphenidate), or Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine), and non-stimulants, such as Strattera (atomoxetine), Qelbree (viloxazine), and Intuniv (guanfacine). Stimulants and non-stimulants work by increasing brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine levels, improving attention, and reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. 

Stimulant medications are commonly used to treat ADHD, but they aren’t typically used to treat anxiety. Stimulants calm ADHD by working on your central nervous system. They can have side effects like rapid heart rate, which can cause anxiety or make existing anxiety worse. 

Treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety

Not only is there crossover and similarity between ADHD and anxiety — the 2 conditions often exist side-by-side. In some cases, anxiety symptoms may be secondary to ADHD symptoms, such as worry about poor performance or difficulty completing tasks. When these conditions co-occur, it makes it hard to tell if 1 is masking the other or making it worse.

If you have ADHD and anxiety, treating both conditions is important. If your provider believes you have both, you’ll discuss an approach to treatment and develop a care plan together. Your provider will likely recommend a combination of medication, CBT, relaxation techniques (like breathing exercises or meditation), and lifestyle changes that focus on helping you get regular movement, better sleep, and establish a routine. 

To start gaining control of your symptoms, follow your treatment plan as indicated by your provider. Actively participating in your therapy sessions and practicing strategies between sessions can help. Your follow-up appointments are a great opportunity to discuss what’s working and what’s not. If you’re taking medication, take it as prescribed. Also, share any side effects with your provider so they can adjust your dosage as needed. 

If you have anxiety, ADHD, or both, know that treatment can help you feel better daily and see improvements in your functioning. 

Key Takeaway

• ADHD and anxiety are 2 different disorders. ADHD symptoms primarily involve issues with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Anxiety involves problems with nervousness, fear, and worry.
• It’s possible to have ADHD and anxiety at the same time. If you’ve got both, you may experience difficulty concentrating, irritability, fatigue, restlessness, and trouble sleeping.
• The best way to figure out which diagnosis and treatment options are right for you is to talk to a mental health provider. 
• ADHD and anxiety are treatable. You can manage your symptoms with therapy, medication, or a combination of treatment and medication. 

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