Many people wonder if ADHD and anxiety are the same thing. These two conditions often share symptoms, and it is common for someone with ADHD to also feel anxious. This overlap can make it confusing to tell them apart.
Both ADHD and anxiety can affect focus, behavior, and emotions. However, they come from different causes and are identified in different ways by mental health professionals. At California Healing Centers, we understand the complexity of co-occurring mental health conditions and provide comprehensive care that addresses each person’s unique needs in our private, supportive environment.
The following sections explain how ADHD and anxiety disorders are defined and how they are connected.
Is ADHD an Anxiety Disorder
ADHD is not an anxiety disorder. ADHD and anxiety are two separate mental health conditions, each with its own set of diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. They often occur together, but they are not the same condition.
ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means it affects brain development and typically appears in childhood. ADHD is characterized by ongoing patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning.
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that involve excessive fear, worry, or nervousness. They are classified separately from neurodevelopmental disorders. Common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder, and many people benefit from professional anxiety treatment to help manage these symptoms.
Research shows that about 50% of people with ADHD also experience some form of anxiety disorder. This high rate of co-occurrence means that anxiety and ADHD often appear together, but one is not a subtype of the other. The question “is ADHD an anxiety disorder” can be answered clearly: no, they are different conditions that may both be present in the same individual.
Why Do Anxiety and ADHD Often Overlap
Anxiety and ADHD frequently occur together because of several interconnected factors. Understanding why these conditions overlap helps explain why so many people experience both.
Neurobiological factors play a significant role. Both ADHD and anxiety involve similar brain regions, especially those that control attention, impulse regulation, and emotional responses. The neurotransmitter systems involving dopamine and norepinephrine are commonly affected in both conditions.
Genetic predisposition also contributes to this overlap. Families with a history of either condition are more likely to have members who experience both, indicating shared genetic vulnerabilities.
Life experiences create another connection between these conditions. People with ADHD often face ongoing challenges with focus, organization, and social situations. These difficulties can create stressful or overwhelming experiences, which may cause anxiety to develop over time. This is called secondary anxiety, where a person feels anxious because of the challenges caused by ADHD symptoms.
Environmental factors, such as stressful home, school, or work environments, can further increase the likelihood that both conditions will appear together. These influences help explain why ADHD and anxiety go together for many individuals.
Key Symptoms in ADHD vs Anxiety
ADHD and anxiety can look similar, but each has its own set of core symptoms. Some symptoms overlap, while others are unique to each condition. Understanding these differences helps distinguish between anxiety vs ADHD.
ADHD Core Symptoms
ADHD is identified by three main clusters of symptoms that appear consistently across different settings:
- Inattention: Difficulty focusing on tasks, being easily distracted, or forgetting details and instructions
- Hyperactivity: Physical restlessness, excessive talking, fidgeting, or difficulty sitting still
- Impulsivity: Acting without thinking about consequences, interrupting others, or making quick decisions
These symptoms are driven by differences in brain development and executive functioning. They occur regardless of whether a person is worried or stressed about something specific.
Anxiety Core Symptoms
Anxiety disorders are marked by emotional and physical symptoms that center around excessive worry and fear:
- Excessive worry: Persistent concerns that are hard to control and often not linked to specific, immediate threats
- Physical symptoms: Muscle tension, racing heart, sweating, or digestive discomfort
- Avoidance behaviors: Staying away from situations that could trigger anxiety or fear
ADD anxiety symptoms may overlap with ADHD, but anxiety is defined by patterns of fear, worry, and avoidance rather than by inattention or impulsivity. The key difference is that anxiety in ADHD often stems from worry about specific situations, while ADHD symptoms occur consistently regardless of stress levels.
Can ADHD Cause Anxiety or Make It Worse
ADHD can lead to anxiety in several ways. When ADHD symptoms go untreated or unmanaged, the ongoing challenges can create situations that trigger worry and stress.
Performance challenges are common sources of anxiety for people with ADHD. Struggling to meet deadlines, complete assignments, or remember important tasks can create ongoing worry about failure or disappointing others.
Social difficulties may also contribute to anxiety. ADHD symptoms like interrupting others, losing track of conversations, or acting impulsively can affect relationships and lead to concerns about social rejection.
Chronic stress from managing everyday tasks can overwhelm coping abilities. Simple activities like organizing schedules, keeping track of belongings, or following through on commitments can feel overwhelming and create persistent worry.
This pattern shows how ADHD causing anxiety is common, especially when symptoms interfere significantly with daily life. The relationship between these conditions explains why many people ask “can ADHD cause anxiety” – the answer is yes, particularly when ADHD challenges create ongoing stress and frustration.
There are two types of anxiety that can occur with ADHD: primary anxiety (a separate disorder) and secondary anxiety (developing as a reaction to ADHD challenges). Understanding this difference is important for determining the right treatment approach.
How Do I Tell ADHD and Anxiety Apart
Professional assessment is often required to accurately distinguish ADHD from anxiety because these conditions share certain symptoms but have key differences in their origins and patterns.
ADHD typically appears in early childhood, with symptoms present before age 12. These symptoms are persistent and show up across different settings like school and home. The developmental history usually shows a consistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity from an early age.
Anxiety can develop at any age, including adolescence or adulthood. It may come and go depending on life events or stressors. The onset of anxiety often connects to specific triggers, traumatic experiences, or periods of significant stress.
ADHD difficulties stem primarily from executive function challenges – problems with planning, organizing, managing time, and regulating attention. Focus issues in ADHD happen regardless of how important, interesting, or stressful a task might be.
Anxiety-related difficulties are driven by excessive worry or fear. People with anxiety have trouble concentrating because their minds are occupied by intrusive worries about potential problems or threats, rather than general distractibility.
ADHD often leads to inconsistent performance patterns. A person might excel at tasks they find interesting while struggling significantly with routine or less engaging activities. Common challenges include forgetting assignments, misplacing items, or difficulty following through on multi-step tasks.
Anxiety typically creates avoidance patterns. People may stay away from situations that make them nervous, such as public speaking or social events. They might also engage in perfectionist behaviors to reduce worry about making mistakes.
Treatment for ADHD and Anxiety
When both conditions occur together, integrated treatment addresses how symptoms interact and influence each other. Treatment for ADHD and anxiety often requires a comprehensive approach that considers both conditions simultaneously.
Several evidence-based therapies can address both ADHD and anxiety effectively:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps develop organizational skills while addressing anxious thought patterns
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Focuses on accepting difficult thoughts and feelings while working toward valued goals
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills
These therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, often focus on skill development, helping people learn practical strategies for managing both attention challenges and anxiety symptoms. Cognitive restructuring techniques help identify and change negative thought patterns common to both conditions.
Several non-medication approaches can help manage both ADHD and anxiety:
- Regular physical activity: Exercise can improve focus while reducing anxiety symptoms
- Sleep optimization: Consistent sleep schedules and good sleep hygiene benefit both conditions
- Stress reduction techniques: Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can help manage symptoms of both disorders
Balanced nutrition and structured daily routines also support overall brain health and symptom management.
California Healing Centers uses comprehensive assessments to understand how ADHD and anxiety interact for each individual. Treatment plans are personalized, considering not just current symptoms but also personal history and any underlying trauma that might contribute to both conditions.
The center’s private, supportive environment allows clients to focus fully on recovery without external distractions. This approach recognizes that addressing underlying factors – including past trauma – is often essential for effectively treating co-occurring ADHD and anxiety.
Medication Considerations for Both Conditions
Medication management for ADHD and anxiety requires careful consideration, especially when both conditions are present. The approach depends on which symptoms cause the most significant impairment.
Stimulant medications are typically the first-line treatment for ADHD. These include methylphenidate-based medications (like Ritalin) and amphetamine-based medications (like Adderall). While effective for ADHD symptoms, stimulants can sometimes increase anxiety in certain individuals.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications may be preferred when anxiety is also present. Options like atomoxetine (Strattera) or guanfacine (Intuniv) tend to have less impact on anxiety symptoms while still helping with ADHD.
Anti-anxiety medications can be added when anxiety disorders require specific treatment. These might include SSRIs, SNRIs, or other medications that target anxiety symptoms directly.
Healthcare providers typically monitor how different medications affect both conditions, as meds for anxiety and ADHD can interact or influence each other’s effectiveness. Treatment plans are usually individualized with regular follow-ups to track progress and adjust medications as needed.
Managing Both Conditions Together
Having both ADHD and anxiety – a dual diagnosis – presents unique challenges because symptoms can overlap and influence each other. Many people ask “can you have ADD and anxiety?” The answer is yes, and this combination is actually quite common.
The relationship between these conditions can be complex. Attention problems from ADHD may increase worries about performance or social situations. Conversely, anxiety can make it even harder to focus or complete tasks, creating a cycle where each condition makes the other worse.
Integrated treatment approaches address both conditions simultaneously rather than treating them separately. This might include:
- Therapy that addresses both organizational skills and anxiety management
- Medication strategies that consider both conditions
- Lifestyle changes that benefit both ADHD and anxiety symptoms
- Support systems that understand the challenges of managing both conditions
Tracking symptoms over time can help identify patterns and show how treatments for one condition affect the other. This information helps healthcare providers adjust treatment plans for optimal results.
Support from family, friends, and professionals makes managing both conditions more manageable. People with both ADHD and anxiety often benefit from having others who understand their challenges and can provide practical and emotional support.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADHD and Anxiety
No, not everyone with ADHD develops anxiety, though about half of people with ADHD do experience some form of anxiety disorder at some point.
Anxiety medications typically do not directly improve core ADHD symptoms like inattention or hyperactivity, though reducing anxiety may make it easier to focus on tasks.
Unresolved trauma can worsen both ADHD and anxiety symptoms, so addressing past traumatic experiences often improves overall treatment outcomes for both conditions.
Anxiety can mask ADHD symptoms by making someone appear more focused on their worries, while also sharing symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating that overlap with ADHD.
California Healing Centers provides comprehensive, trauma-informed care for individuals experiencing co-occurring ADHD and anxiety. Our private, luxury setting allows clients to focus entirely on their recovery while receiving personalized treatment that addresses the complex relationship between these conditions. To learn more about our integrated approach to mental health treatment, visit our contact page for a confidential consultation.
1. National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
