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

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. 

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:  

• Fluoxetine (Prozac^®)

• Paroxetine (Paxil^®)

• Escitalopram (Lexapro^®)

• Sertraline (Zoloft^®)

• Citalopram (Celexa^®)

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:  

• Venlafaxine (Effexor^®)

• Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq^®)

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta^®) 

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.