ADHD vs. Anxiety: Differences And Similarities In Adults

Around 25-50% of people with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, and a significant portion of adults with ADHD also have at least one other psychiatric disorder, such as an anxiety disorder. This means that anxiety can be misdiagnosed as ADHD, and vice versa. Getting the right diagnosis is important because the treatments for ADHD and anxiety are different. What helps with the lack of focus in ADHD may not work for the constant worry associated with anxiety. Understanding their differences & similarities is the first step towards proper care.

ADHD: An Overview

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a long-term mental health condition that typically starts in childhood and may extend into adulthood.

Three main symptoms characterize it:

Inattention – difficulty staying focused
Hyperactivity – excessive or inappropriate movement
Impulsivity – acting quickly without thinking

These symptoms interfere with various aspects of life, including academic performance, professional development, relationships, and daily activities.

When left untreated, ADHD can impact self-confidence and social interactions in children and may lead to lasting emotional challenges in adulthood.

ADHD is more commonly recognized in boys because their symptoms (impulsivity and hyperactivity) are much more noticeable.

Girls have less visible ADHD symptoms, which are easier to overlook or misunderstand.

According to research, approximately 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults have ADHD.

While the signs may evolve with age, early diagnosis and proper support are essential to managing symptoms effectively and improving long-term outcomes.

Anxiety: An Overview

Anxiety is an automatic response to stress that helps individuals stay alert, focused, and prepared.

At moderate levels, anxiety can be helpful by signaling danger or enhancing performance.

However, when fear or worry becomes intense and constant, it may point to an anxiety disorder.

These disorders, affecting nearly 30% of adults, differ from everyday nerves thanks to a persistent fear that disrupts daily life.

On a positive note, they are treatable through various psychotherapeutic approaches, allowing most people to lead stable, productive lives.

People with anxiety disorders may stay away from situations that worsen their symptoms, which can impact work, school, and relationships.

For a diagnosis, the symptoms must:

Be excessive for the situation or inappropriate for the person’s age
Interfere with daily life and activities

Types of anxiety disorders include:

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia)
Specific phobias
Agoraphobia
Social anxiety disorder
Separation anxiety disorder
Selective mutism

Timely treatment improves outcomes and can help individuals regain control over their lives.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for anxiety?

The 3-3-3 rule for anxiety is a practical method that helps shift focus during stressful moments through three simple actions:

Look around and identify three things you can see.
Pay attention to three things you can hear.
Move three body parts, like your fingers, toes, or shoulders.

This approach can help refocus your attention and reduce anxious feelings.

ADHD vs Anxiety: Overlaps and Differences In Symptoms

Since ADHD and anxiety can be confusing to tell apart due to overlapping signs, the table below breaks down their symptoms for easier comparison.

Symptom	ADHD presentation	Anxiety presentation	Overlap?
Concentration issues	Hard to pay attention because of distractions or boredom.	Hard to focus because of constant worrying or racing thoughts.	✅
Agitation	Restless, unable to stay still or calm, with a jumpy mind.	Tense muscles, feeling nervous, or unable to relax.	✅
Procrastination	Delays tasks due to stress or trouble staying.	Delays tasks due to fear of failure or being too worried about doing it right.	✅
Emotional instability	Quick mood changes like getting upset or excited easily.	Long-lasting negative feelings (e.g., unease, distress).	❌
Sleep problems	Trouble falling asleep because of too many thoughts or restlessness.	Trouble sleeping due to overthinking or body tension.	✅
Impulsiveness	Says or does things suddenly, like speaking out of turn or making risky choices.	Rare; tends to think too much and avoid taking risks.	❌
Physical symptoms	Usually, few, unless there's anxiety too.	Common, like fast heartbeat, sweating, or stomach pain.	❌
Time management	Often late or misses deadlines (has trouble sensing time).	Spends too much time planning or worrying about tasks.	❌
Social behavior	Talks a lot, interrupts, or seems overly active.	Stays quiet, avoids people, or worries a lot about what others think.	❌
Underlying cause	Brain development issues affect attention and activity levels.	Strong reaction to threats, often from stress, genes, or life experiences.	❌

Disclaimer: This comparison is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a clinical diagnosis. Individual experiences of ADHD and anxiety can vary widely. If you suspect you may have ADHD, an anxiety disorder, or both, please seek evaluation from a qualified healthcare professional.

ADHD vs Anxiety: Causes And Risk Factors

Both ADHD and anxiety can affect people differently, often starting in similar ways, with their causes and risk factors influencing their development.

Causes

ADHD:

Scientists don't fully understand exactly why ADHD occurs, but several key factors are often involved.

Genetics plays a significant role, so if a close family member has ADHD, the chances increase.

It may also be connected to environmental factors or developmental issues in the brain during critical early stages of life.

Anxiety:

The causes of anxiety aren't entirely understood, but it often comes from a mix of things, and it's different for everyone.

It can often stem from stressful or traumatic life events, especially if you're already prone to feeling anxious.

Family history can add to the risk, as anxiety can be passed down through generations.

In some cases, anxiety may have links to underlying medical conditions, such as:

Heart problems
Diabetes
Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
Breathing disorders like asthma or COPD
Chronic pain or stomach issues like IBS
Side effects of certain medications

Anxiety linked to a medical issue is more likely when there's no family history, no childhood anxiety, and when symptoms appear suddenly without a clear trigger.

Risk Factors

ADHD:

Having a blood relative (like a parent or sibling) with ADHD or other mental health issues
Exposure to environmental toxins such as lead (commonly found in old paint and pipes)
Prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, or other substances of abuse
Premature birth

Anxiety:

Experiencing or witnessing trauma, especially in childhood
Stress from an illness, related to treatments, or uncertainty about the future
Life events that become more and more stressful
Certain personality traits associated with higher sensitivity or nervousness
Having other mental health conditions, such as depression
A family history of anxiety disorders
Substance use or withdrawal

How Do I Tell ADHD And Anxiety Apart?

People frequently mix up ADHD and anxiety since both can impact concentration, but there are clear differences if you know what to look for.

The key is to notice when the focus issues happen and what symptoms accompany them.

ADHD	Anxiety
Trouble focusing even when things are calm	Trouble focusing mostly in anxiety-triggering situations
Anxiety often shows up because of problems caused by ADHD	Can cause ongoing, constant worry or nervousness
Common signs include forgetfulness, impulsivity, a short attention span, and restlessness.	Common signs include feelings of unease or danger, sweating, shaking, and a fast heartbeat.

If both ADHD and anxiety are present, a person may struggle to concentrate in many different situations, which can make daily life more difficult.

Do I Have ADHD Or Just Anxiety?

Anxiety often brings worry that disrupts focus, while ADHD is a developmental condition with ongoing attention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity issues since childhood.

A professional evaluation is key to a correct diagnosis because the underlying causes differ.

Why Is It Important To Differentiate ADHD And Anxiety?

Distinguishing between ADHD and anxiety is essential because both conditions are treated and managed in unique ways.

Treatment plans differ: Each condition requires different medication and therapy approaches.
Therapy focus varies: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) applies to both, but ADHD focuses on time and attention, while anxiety targets fear and worry.
Right support groups: Each condition benefits from its own kind of support and advice.
Less stress and confusion: Knowing your diagnosis brings clarity and emotional relief.
Faster progress: Accurate diagnosis ensures effective treatment from the start.

ADHD vs Anxiety: Differences In Diagnosis And Treatment

Correctly diagnosing and treating ADHD vs. anxiety is crucial because their approaches differ.

How ADHD Is Diagnosed And Treated

A healthcare professional may use questionnaires and interviews to diagnose ADHD.

They also use criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), which includes:

Medical and symptom history, including how the person manages challenges.
Evaluating emotional, social, and academic functioning.
Rating scales to measure ADHD symptoms.
Conversations with family members, teachers, or others involved in the person's daily life.
Tests to rule out other conditions that might look like ADHD, for example, hearing or vision problems.

ADHD treatment usually includes:

CBT: Helps change negative thought patterns.
Coaching: ADHD coaching to develop personalized strategies.
Medications: Stimulants like Adderall or non-stimulants like Strattera.

How Anxiety Is Diagnosed And Treated

Anxiety is diagnosed through:

A review of symptoms and medical history to check for other possible causes.
Assessment using criteria from the DSM-5-TR and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Input from family, teachers, or caregivers to understand behavior patterns, especially in children.

Treatment for anxiety includes:

CBT: Focuses on managing anxiety through thought changes.
Medications: Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed to ease anxiety.

ADHD and Anxiety Together

Since ADHD and anxiety can occur together, diagnosing and treating them carefully is essential.

According to a 2022 research article, stimulant medications for ADHD, like Adderall, may not make anxiety worse and could help with both conditions.

Non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine can also be useful for people with both ADHD and anxiety.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for the right treatment.

Should ADHD Or Anxiety Be Treated First?

When deciding whether to address ADHD or anxiety first, the key is to focus on which symptoms are most disruptive.

If anxiety is severe and there's a family history, it's often best to manage anxiety first. Once it's under control, ADHD can be addressed if needed.

However, if inattentiveness is causing more significant issues, it's better to prioritize ADHD, assuming anxiety symptoms are mild.

Ultimately, a healthcare practitioner will decide which condition to address first.

FAQs About ADHD vs Anxiety

Can Anxiety Mask ADHD Symptoms?

Yes, anxiety can make it harder to distinguish between ADHD and anxiety itself.

Both conditions cause distractibility, restlessness, and difficulty focusing, but the root causes differ.

Is Overthinking ADHD Or Anxiety?

Overthinking happens in both ADHD and anxiety, but the reasons behind it are different.

ADHD usually occurs due to fast, scattered thoughts and trouble focusing, which can overload the mind.

In anxiety, overthinking is more about constant worry and going over the same fears or negative thoughts again and again.

Sometimes, both conditions can happen together, making diagnosing and treating harder.

When Is Anxiety Mistaken For ADHD?

Sympyoms like inattention and restlessness make it easy to mistake anxiety for ADHD.

However, if these symptoms come from worry or fear rather than difficulty in focusing, anxiety may be the primary cause.

What Is High Performing Anxiety?

High-performing anxiety is when a person has anxiety but still functions well in daily life.

They may have a successful career and an active social life and seem in control, but inside, they struggle with constant worry, fear, and self-doubt.

It's not an official diagnosis and is usually considered a form of generalized anxiety disorder.

These individuals hide their stress and keep pushing through instead of avoiding situations.

Do I Need ADHD Or Anxiety Meds?

Doctors first check whether ADHD causes your anxiety or if it’s a separate issue, and then treat the condition that affects you the most.

Before giving any medicine, doctors examine your age, health, and other medical problems.

They also check for side effects and how the medicine might react with others.

So, you may need ADHD or anxiety meds, depending on which condition is more serious and what suits your overall health.

Summary: ADHD vs Anxiety

ADHD and anxiety share symptoms like concentration issues and restlessness, but have different causes.
ADHD is a developmental condition, while anxiety is often triggered by stress or life experiences.
ADHD symptoms include impulsivity, forgetfulness, and a short attention span, while anxiety causes constant worry and excessive fear.
Genetics, prenatal exposure, and environmental factors contribute to ADHD risk.
Anxiety can be triggered by trauma, chronic illness, and social isolation.
Both conditions can coexist, and managing ADHD first can help differentiate between ADHD and anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety can mask ADHD symptoms, especially when restlessness and distractibility are present.
Overthinking can happen in both ADHD and anxiety, but has different underlying causes.
Talking to a healthcare professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.