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Why ADHD and Anxiety Often Go Hand-in-Hand (Plus, How to Cope)

Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD

Reviewed by Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD

Written by Jill Seladi-Schulman

Published 11/30/2022

Updated 05/09/2025

Do you regularly find yourself going from checking emails to deep-dives into celebrity Wikipedia pages and stressing over managing your time? This scattered focus might be a sign you’re dealing with ADHD and anxiety. 

When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it’s natural to have trouble focusing or completing tasks. But if this happens with more frequency or intensity, you might be wondering: Is this anxiety or ADHD? How can you tell the difference, and can you have both?

Both attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders share similar symptoms, which, understandably, make things a little confusing when trying to figure out which condition you have.  

While only a healthcare professional can give you an official diagnosis, having a basic understanding of the link between anxiety and ADHD can be helpful.

We break down the connection below.

If you have ADHD, you might have trouble with things like:

  • Paying attention

  • Staying on task

  • Organization

  • Controlling impulsive behaviors

While people often get an ADHD diagnosis in childhood, it’s a neurodevelopmental disorder that can last into adulthood.

In one 2021 study, researchers estimated that over 360 million adults around the globe live with ADHD. In the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that 8.1 percent of adults aged 18 to 44 will experience ADHD at some point in their lives.  

We all have moments where focusing feels impossible — like when you keep getting distracted sorting through work emails. For people with ADHD, inattention and impulsivity can seriously disrupt daily life.  

In a 2017 study of 423 young adults who gambled frequently, 20.3 percent showed ADHD symptoms, but only 7.3 percent had a formal ADHD diagnosis.  

Let’s switch gears and talk about anxiety.

Whether you’re interviewing for a job or starting a new relationship, it’s typical to experience anxious feelings in life.  

Some people can feel anxiety much more intensely. Like ADHD, untreated anxiety can take over your life, affecting work, relationships and even activities you once enjoyed. 

Sound familiar? You might be living with an anxiety disorder. And you’re not alone – over 19% of people in the U.S. have experienced some form of anxiety in the past year.  

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to anxiety. In fact, several different mental health conditions fall under the umbrella of anxiety disorders. 

You can read more about the different types of anxiety disorders in our comprehensive guide

ADHD and anxiety often go hand-in-hand. A 2022 study found that over half of 353 adult participants with ADHD had at least one anxiety disorder.

So, can ADHD cause anxiety?

While living with ADHD can be stressful and lead to anxious feelings, they’re distinct conditions. And it’s still unclear whether one condition directly causes the other. 

Diagnosing ADHD can be challenging, especially when someone also has an anxiety disorder. That’s because of symptom overlap. Both conditions can cause:

  • Stress

  • Extreme fears

  • Problems with memory

  • Distractibility

  • Fatigue

  • Insomnia and other sleep issues  

Research suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and commonly linked mental health conditions can improve long-term mental health outcomes. 

According to a 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey, 78 percent of children with ADHD have at least one other behavioral or mental health disorder, including anxiety, depression, or autism spectrum disorder (AUD). 

Let’s take a closer look at how ADHD and anxiety symptoms compare. 

Symptoms
Anxiety
ADHD
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of nervousness
Restlessness
Difficulty sleeping
Fatigue and weakness
Body pain (including digestive upset, muscle tension, and headaches)
Hyperventilating
Sweating
Trembling
Heart palpitations
Feelings of impending doom or danger
Inattention
Avoiding tasks that require sustained mental effort
Fidgeting and squirming
Difficult following through on instructions
Excessive talking
Forgetfulness
Problems with planning ahead, meeting goals, self-control (AKA executive functioning)

If you read any of the above symptoms and thought, Wait…that’s me, don’t stress. Just because you have some of these symptoms, doesn’t necessarily mean you have the illness. Only a healthcare professional can make a medical diagnosis. Also, both anxiety and ADHD are treatable.

Below, we outline your treatment options.

Medications

Although treatment for ADHD and anxiety looks different for everyone, medication can be effective for both disorders, but the medications used are different.

Medications for ADHD

ADHD medications fall into two main categories: stimulants and nonstimulants. 

Stimulants like Adderall are some of the most commonly prescribed ADHD meds. While effective, they can be habit-forming and might increase nervousness in some people. Fortunately, when they’re used properly under a doctor’s supervision, abuse is uncommon.

Nonstimulant options include alpha agonists like clonidine (Catapres®) and guanfacine (Intuniv®), and the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors viloxazine (Qelbree®) and atomoxetine (Strattera®). 

Doctors also sometimes prescribe bupropion (brand name Wellbutrin®) off-label to treat ADHD, although it’s not as effective as FDA-approved options.  

Medications for Anxiety

When it comes to treating anxiety, there are several anti-anxiety medications to choose from. But antidepressants are usually the go-to. Two popular types are SSRIs and SNRIs. 

SSRIs (short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) increase your serotonin activity levels — aka the “happy” chemical that helps regulate your mood and other bodily functions. 

The most commonly prescribed SSRIs include:  

NRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) work similarly to SSRIs but in addition to boosting serotonin activity, they also target the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. 

Norepinephrine plays a role in regulating your blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep cycle. It also controls your body’s fight-or-flight response.  

Examples of SNRIs include:  

If neither of these antidepressant classes works for you, your provider might recommend Buspirone (BuSpar®). 

Buspirone (BuSpar®) was first developed as a treatment for psychosis. Now, healthcare professionals primarily use it to treat anxiety disorders.  

Therapy for ADHD and Anxiety

Your healthcare provider might suggest various types of psychotherapy along with medication. 

If the thought of waiting in a doctor’s office sounds unappealing, you might want to consider online therapy. It’s convenient and you can do it from the comfort of your home. 

Anxiety and ADHD are two distinct disorders, but they share common symptoms, making it tricky to tell them apart — and identify when someone has both.

Concentration Issues

People with anxiety might struggle to focus when they’re nervous or worried. Those with ADHD, on the other hand, can have trouble concentrating even if their brain isn’t swirling with worry. 

Anxious Feelings

Here’s another difference: If you have ADHD, your symptoms can trigger worry or anxious feelings. Think worrying about getting locked out of the house because you repeatedly forget your keys. 

Living with generalized anxiety disorder can trigger anxiety about things you can’t explain, sometimes leading to an overwhelming sense of dread or fear. 

Age of Onset

ADHD symptoms often appear in children around age six and even professionals can mistake it for behavioral problems. Most kids who have ADHD get a diagnosis during their elementary school years. 

Anxiety disorders can develop at any age. 

If you think you may have anxiety, ADHD, or both, the best step is to talk to a healthcare professional, like your primary care provider or a psychiatrist. 

They’ll ask you questions about your symptoms, lifestyle habits, and medical history before coming up with a diagnosis.  

Having a mental health disorder can feel overwhelming, nevermind managing two. 

Whether you’re facing anxiety, ADHD, or both, the good news is treatment options are available. 

Here’s what to remember about the link between ADHD and anxiety: 

  • ADHD and anxiety are separate disorders. They also share similarities and can coexist. It’s still unclear whether one causes the other. 

  • Connecting with a healthcare provider can help you get answers. A healthcare professional is the only person who can accurately diagnose you. They’re also the only ones who can prescribe medication

  • Therapy can be a powerful support system. Combining therapy and medication can be more effective than medication alone. 

Looking for additional support? Explore our mental health resources.

Take the first step to mental wellness: Book your virtual therapy session today with Hers.

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Editorial Standards

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Daniel Z. Lieberman, MD

Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman is the senior vice president of mental health at Hims & Hers and of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at George Washington University. Prior to joining Hims & Hers, Dr. Lieberman spent over 25 years as a full time academic, receiving multiple awards for teaching and research. While at George Washington, he served as the chairman of the university’s Institutional Review Board and the vice chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. Lieberman’s has focused on , , , and to increase access to scientifically-proven treatments. He served as the principal investigator at George Washington University for dozens of FDA trials of new medications and developed online programs to help people with , , and . In recognition of his contributions to the field of psychiatry, in 2015, Dr. Lieberman was designated a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He is board certified in psychiatry and addiction psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

As an expert in mental health, Dr. Lieberman has provided insight on psychiatric topics for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy.

Dr. Lieberman studied the Great Books at St. John’s College and attended medical school at New York University, where he also completed his psychiatry residency. He is the coauthor of the international bestseller , which has been translated into more than 20 languages and was selected as one of the “Must-Read Brain Books of 2018” by Forbes. He is also the author of . He has been on and to discuss the role of the in human behavior, , and .

Education

  • 1992: M.D., New York University School of Medicine

  • 1985: B.A., St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland

Selected Appointments

  • 2022–Present: Clinical Professor, George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

  • 2013–2022: Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

  • 2010–2022: Professor, George Washington University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

  • 2008–2017: Chairman, George Washington University Institutional Review Board

Selected Awards & Honors

  • 2022: Distinguished Life Fellow, American Psychiatric Association

  • 2008–2020: Washingtonian Top Doctor award

  • 2005: Caron Foundation Research Award

Publications

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