The Difference Between ADHD vs. Anxiety in Adults

Some people diagnosed with anxiety find that they also display symptoms of ADHD and vice versa. You may find yourself in a similar situation, wondering what’s actually causing your symptoms – ADHD or anxiety.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning it affects how the brain develops and functions. This can lead to symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Anxiety, on the other hand, refers to a group of disorders that involve excessive and constant fear, worry, or dread.

While ADHD and anxiety are very different, a few symptoms may overlap. What makes things trickier is that anxiety is often associated with ADHD, as some adults may have both conditions simultaneously.

While both anxiety and ADHD can make it more challenging to concentrate in specific situations, anxiety can cause symptoms like thoughts of doom and gloom and panic attacks, which differ greatly from ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity and impulsivity.

Research shows that around 70% of adults diagnosed with ADHD have at least one other disorder affecting their mental health, including mood and anxiety disorders.^[1]

If you’re looking for more support while you navigate an ADHD diagnosis, check out ADDA’s ADHD resource page.

Keep reading to find out the differences between adult ADHD and anxiety, how to tell them apart, and how both diagnoses are typically treated.

Originally published on October 31st, 2022, this post was updated and republished on November 10th, 2025.

ADHD vs. Anxiety in Adults

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition that affects your behavior and ability to concentrate.

An anxiety disorder also impacts your mental health but is commonly associated with constant feelings of dread, fear, or uneasiness.

Here’s a table summarizing the main symptoms of ADHD and anxiety. ^{[2], [3]}

Symptom	ADHD	Anxiety
Trouble concentrating	✔	✔
Feelings of restlessness and trouble relaxing	✔	✔
Problems with sleep	✔	✔
Short attention span and easily distracted	✔
Being forgetful and misplacing things	✔
Inability to prioritize, organize, and plan	✔
Unable to sit still and constantly fidgeting	✔
Interrupting conversations	✔
Being unable to wait your turn	✔
Impending sense of doom or danger		✔
Constantly feeling nervous, tense, and on edge		✔
Rapid breathing or fast heart rate		✔
Sweating and trembling		✔
Trouble controlling feelings of worry		✔

What Are the Signs of ADHD in Adults?

Those diagnosed with ADHD as children may notice fewer symptoms as they approach adulthood. However, some individuals continue to experience significant symptoms that get in the way of their daily tasks and activities as adults.

Some symptoms of adult ADHD include the following ^[3]:

Trouble Focusing on a Task

A person with ADHD may constantly daydream and zone in and out of conversations. Staying focused on repetitive, boring, or routine tasks is very challenging, causing them to fall behind on deadlines.

Being Forgetful

Adults with ADHD tend to miss deadlines, meetings, and important dates. Forgetting instructions, misplacing items, and losing track of belongings may also be signs of ADHD.

Organization and Prioritization Issues

ADHD may cause a person to struggle with organizing and prioritizing tasks since the ADHD brain tends to value novelty over importance. A long to-do list can quickly overwhelm someone with ADHD to the point they feel almost paralyzed, unable to take action or make decisions until they regain composure.

Restlessness and fidgeting

A person with ADHD may constantly move about, fidget, shift in their seat, tap their hands or feet. They may find it hard to sit still and stimming is a usual behavior to keep themselves calm and manage a flurry of thoughts.

In addition to these behaviors, people with ADHD can also experience tics and other uncontrolled behaviors.

Conversation Roadblocks

Someone with ADHD may find it difficult to stay focused on the conversation, especially if the topic doesn’t interest them. They may interrupt the other person, go off on a tangent while speaking, or speak too quickly or too much.

Impulsive Actions

Impulsiveness may present in various ways. Individuals with ADHD may say something, purchase an item, make a decision, or perform an action without thoroughly considering the consequences.

Emotional Dysregulation

Some people with ADHD may struggle with regulating their emotions. They may frequently start conflicts, be easily irritable, quick to lose their temper, or experience unpredictable mood changes. ^[4]

Anxiety Symptoms in Adults

Many people get anxious, worried, or afraid at some point.

But when feelings of anxiousness interfere with your social life, sleep, and daily activities, this may be a sign that you have an anxiety disorder.

The following are some common signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder: ^[2]

Difficulty Focusing

Many people with an anxiety disorder often find that they have trouble concentrating. Their minds may go blank or be distracted by worries and fearful thoughts.

Problems with Sleep

An anxiety disorder can make it more challenging for a person to fall asleep or stay asleep throughout the night.

Excessive Fear, Worry, and Stress

A person with anxiety is constantly tense due to the feeling of impending doom, panic, or danger. This may lead to an increased heart rate, nausea, chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, trembling, and rapid breathing.

Irritability

Someone with anxiety may be easier to upset, which means they’re more likely to lash out at friends and family.

Avoidance

When excessive fear or anxiety strikes, a common behavioral response in those with anxiety is avoidance. For instance, an individual with a social anxiety disorder may avoid social situations or events because of the fear of being judged or embarrassed in front of others.

How Can I Tell If I Have ADHD or Anxiety?

Though ADHD and anxiety share some similar symptoms, you may be able to tell them apart in the following ways:

• Someone with an anxiety disorder may have trouble concentrating in situations that make them feel worried or nervous. In contrast, someone with ADHD may experience difficulty concentrating even in situations where their mind is calm and quiet.
• People with ADHD may get worried and anxious, but mostly about struggles or problems brought about by their ADHD symptoms. On the other hand, a person with both a generalized anxiety disorder and ADHD may feel anxious about many different things and be in a constant state of worry and fear.

The best way to diagnose your condition is by seeking professional medical advice from your doctor. You may also get a second opinion if unsure about your initial diagnosis.

Can ADHD Cause Anxiety?

Currently, there isn’t enough evidence to show that ADHD directly causes anxiety as one of its core symptoms. That said, research has shown that ADHD symptoms can increase or worsen any existing anxiety. ^[5]

Some possible ways for ADHD to contribute to anxiety are as follows: 

• ADHD leads to missed deadlines, misplaced items, or unfinished tasks. This means you’re more likely to experience higher levels of stress and worry about your daily responsibilities. 
• Emotional dysregulation in ADHD can make it harder to manage feelings of fear, stress, or anxiety. 
• Adults with ADHD tend to rely on unhelpful coping mechanisms. For instance, ADHD overthinking and catastrophizing can further fuel anxiety.
• ADHD can sometimes create challenges in relationships, leading to misunderstandings or conflicts that heighten fear and insecurity. 
• Repeated criticism from family, friends, or supervisors about ADHD-related habits can contribute to a fear of failure or rejection. This might also increase anxiety over time. 

If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many adults with ADHD experience these challenges.

If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, it might be a good idea to discuss your emotional well-being with a therapist or healthcare provider. Learning effective ways to manage stress and big emotions can help prevent your ADHD symptoms from contributing to or worsening anxiety.

ADHD and Anxiety Treatments

The medications used to treat ADHD and anxiety are different.

Treatment becomes a little trickier if you’re experiencing both conditions concurrently, as some medications used to treat ADHD may exacerbate anxiety symptoms.

Adult ADHD Treatment

The most effective treatment regimen for ADHD is a combination of medication and therapy.

Non-pharmacological methods of managing ADHD may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: This talk therapy helps you identify unhealthy thought patterns, beliefs, and behaviors and reframe them into healthier thinking patterns and habits. CBT may also help with tackling poor time management and disorganization.
• Marriage or family counseling: This therapy empowers you and your loved ones to explore conflicts and find strategies to resolve and prevent them so your relationship can thrive.
• ADHD coaching: An ADHD coach collaborates with you to devise personalized strategies for overcoming your daily struggles, staying focused, and increasing motivation.

Stimulant medications are often the first choice for treating ADHD as they are the most effective. These medications help regulate brain activity but require close monitoring. If stimulant medications don’t work for you or lead to troublesome side effects, your doctor may recommend non-stimulant medications.^[6]

Anxiety Disorder Treatment

The two main treatment methods for anxiety disorders are medications and therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most effective form of therapy for anxiety disorders. This therapy teaches essential skills and helps you change your way of thinking to help you manage your symptoms and build confidence.

There are various types of medications for treating anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the first choices for treating this disorder, as their benefits outweigh the risks in many cases. ^[7]

A Medical Evaluation is Key to Differentiating ADHD from Anxiety

Getting treatment starts with a timely diagnosis, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you notice symptoms of either condition.

Keep in mind that it’s also possible for you to have both ADHD and anxiety. You can get your symptoms assessed, even if you have a pre-existing diagnosis for either.

Proper diagnosis and treatment can help you manage your symptoms and overcome the daily struggles standing between you and your personal goals.

If you’ve noticed concerning symptoms but aren’t sure if they’re caused by ADHD or anxiety, take the ADDA adult ADHD test. This can help you decide what type of professional evaluation and support to consider. While this isn’t a diagnostic test, it’s a good starting point to gauge if you may have ADHD.

Whether or not your ADHD is complicated by an anxiety disorder, talking about it with people who understand can help. Check out our virtual ADHD support groups to connect with a group that can help you change your perspective, learn new strategies, and thrive with ADHD. Explore all our resources in ADDA+!

FAQs

How do I know if I have ADHD or anxiety?

It can sometimes be tricky to tell the difference between ADHD and anxiety, as they share overlapping symptoms. Some of these shared symptoms include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and racing thoughts. The key to telling them apart is what triggers those. For instance, ADHD can lead to stress or worry over issues caused by its symptoms, such as missing a deadline or misplacing important objects. On the other hand, anxiety causes excessive and constant anxiety or fear over both big and small things. If you’re unsure, talk to a healthcare professional who can assess your symptoms and help you determine what’s really going on.

Does anxiety make ADHD worse?

Yes, anxiety can definitely worsen and intensify ADHD symptoms. For instance, it can make it harder to focus, stay organized, plan ahead, and manage your time effectively. Anxiety may also increase restlessness and racing thoughts, making it even more difficult to concentrate. Because anxiety often fuels fear around challenging or stressful situations, it can also contribute to procrastination and ADHD paralysis. Finally, anxiety is also linked to increased tension and irritability, which can make it even harder to control impulses and manage emotions with ADHD already in the picture. ^[1]

What’s the difference between ADHD and being anxious?

While ADHD and anxiety do overlap in some ways, they’re actually very different conditions. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain develops and functions, leading to difficulties with focus, impulse control, and emotional regulation. On the other hand, anxiety often develops from stress, trauma, or major life changes. It drives excessive and constant fear and worry about everyday things. ^[8]

Can you have ADHD and anxiety at the same time?

Yes, you can have both ADHD and anxiety at the same time. In fact, it is quite common for adult ADHDers to also have anxiety. ^[1] Each condition can make the other feel worse. For example, ADHD can cause you to struggle with focus, organization, memory, or planning, which can add to your stress and worry. At the same time, anxiety can heighten ADHD symptoms like restlessness and difficulty concentrating. ^[1] If you have ADHD and anxiety, a mental health professional can help you develop a treatment plan that addresses both, so you can manage your symptoms more effectively.

References

[1] Fu, X., Wu, W., Wu, Y., Liu, X., Liang, W., Wu, R., & Li, Y. (2025). Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1597559 

[2] Anxiety Disorders. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved 21 October 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders

[3] Cortese, S., Bellgrove, M. A., Brikell, I., Franke, B., Goodman, D. W., Hartman, C. A., Larsson, H., Levin, F. R., Ostinelli, E. G., Parlatini, V., Ramos‐Quiroga, J. A., Sibley, M. H., Tomlinson, A., Wilens, T. E., Wong, I. C. K., Hovén, N., Didier, J., Correll, C. U., Rohde, L. A., & Faraone, S. V. (2025). Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults: evidence base, uncertainties and controversies. World Psychiatry, 24(3), 347–371. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21374 

[4] Liu, Q., Chen, W., Preece, D. A., Xu, D., Li, H., Liu, N., Fu, G., Wang, Y., Qian, Q., Gross, J. J., & Liu, L. (2022). Emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD: The role of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 319, 267–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.058 

[5] Bob, P., & Privara, M. (2025). ADHD, stress, and anxiety. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1536207 

[6] Bellato, A., Perrott, N. J., Marzulli, L., Parlatini, V., Coghill, D., & Cortese, S. (2024). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Effects of Pharmacological Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Quality of Life. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 64(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2024.05.023 

[7] Parker, E. L., Banfield, M., Fassnacht, D. B., Hatfield, T., & Kyrios, M. (2021). Contemporary treatment of anxiety in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis of outcomes in countries with universal healthcare. BMC Family Practice, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01445-5 

[8] National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). Generalized anxiety disorder: When worry gets out of control. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad