ADHD and anxiety in adults can occur at the same time and may make it difficult to understand what is causing certain symptoms. Both conditions can affect concentration, sleep, productivity, relationships, and daily responsibilities. ADHD also commonly occurs alongside other mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Understanding how the symptoms can overlap is an important part of getting the right evaluation and treatment.
What Is ADHD in Adults?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental condition involving persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity.
Adults with ADHD may experience:
- Difficulty staying focused
- Disorganization
- Forgetfulness
- Procrastination
- Poor time management
- Restlessness
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Impulsive decisions
- Trouble managing multiple responsibilities
These symptoms can affect work, education, relationships, and everyday life.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety can involve excessive worry, nervousness, fear, or a feeling of being on edge. Occasional anxiety is a normal response to stressful situations, but an anxiety disorder can involve persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life.
Depending on the type of anxiety disorder, adults may experience:
- Excessive worrying
- Difficulty controlling worry
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle tension
- Sleep difficulties
- Feeling constantly on edge
Can ADHD and Anxiety Occur Together?
Yes. ADHD and anxiety can occur in the same person.
NIMH notes that ADHD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including anxiety. When multiple conditions are present, symptoms can overlap and may make evaluation and treatment more complicated.
For example, an adult with ADHD may have difficulty completing a work assignment because of problems with attention and organization. Anxiety may then increase worry about missing the deadline or making a mistake.
In other situations, anxiety itself may make it harder to concentrate or sleep.
How Can ADHD and Anxiety Symptoms Overlap?
ADHD and anxiety can share several symptoms.
Both may involve:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Sleep problems
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Problems completing tasks
- Irritability
- Difficulty managing everyday responsibilities
Because of this overlap, experiencing one or more of these symptoms does not automatically mean that a person has ADHD or an anxiety disorder.
A qualified healthcare professional can look at the pattern, duration, severity, and circumstances surrounding the symptoms.
How Can ADHD and Anxiety Feel Different?
Although symptoms can overlap, the underlying experience may be different.
With ADHD, difficulty concentrating may be related to distractibility, disorganization, impulsivity, or difficulty maintaining attention.
With anxiety, concentration problems may occur because persistent worry or fear makes it difficult to focus on other things.
For example, someone with ADHD may start several tasks and have difficulty finishing them because they become distracted. Someone experiencing significant anxiety may have difficulty completing the same tasks because they are repeatedly worrying about possible problems or negative outcomes.
These differences are important when a provider evaluates symptoms.
Can Anxiety Make ADHD Symptoms Feel Worse?
Anxiety can add another layer of difficulty for someone who already experiences ADHD symptoms.
For example, problems with organization or time management may create stressful situations. Repeated stress about unfinished responsibilities can then contribute to worry, poor sleep, or difficulty relaxing.
Likewise, anxiety can make concentration more difficult. NIMH notes that anxiety disorders can interfere with everyday activities and that difficulty concentrating can be one of the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
This can create a cycle in which ADHD-related challenges contribute to stress while anxiety makes certain ADHD-related difficulties harder to manage.
How Are ADHD and Anxiety Diagnosed?
There is no single test that can diagnose both ADHD and anxiety.
A provider may review:
- Current symptoms
- Childhood history
- Medical history
- Mental health history
- Sleep patterns
- Current medications
- Work and school experiences
- Relationships
- Daily functioning
- Previous treatment
An ADHD diagnosis in adults considers current symptoms, childhood history, and how symptoms affect different areas of daily life. NIMH notes that ADHD symptoms must begin during childhood and that evaluation considers functioning across settings.
For adult ADHD, providers generally consider whether symptoms began during childhood and whether they cause difficulties in multiple areas of life. Anxiety evaluation may focus on the nature, duration, intensity, and impact of worry or fear.
A thorough evaluation can also help identify other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
Why Is a Professional Evaluation Important?
Symptoms such as poor concentration, restlessness, forgetfulness, and sleep difficulties can have several possible causes.
Stress, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and other health conditions can sometimes produce symptoms that resemble ADHD. This is why providers consider the overall clinical picture instead of relying on one symptom or a single questionnaire.
A professional evaluation can help determine which symptoms are present and how they affect daily functioning.
How Are ADHD and Anxiety Treated?
Treatment depends on the individual’s symptoms, needs, medical history, and other circumstances.
ADHD treatment for adults may include medication, psychotherapy, behavioral strategies, or a combination of approaches. NIMH notes that therapy can be particularly helpful when ADHD occurs alongside other mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
Anxiety treatment may also involve psychotherapy, medication, or both, depending on the type and severity of symptoms.
When both conditions are present, a provider can consider the conditions together when developing a treatment plan.
Can Therapy Help With ADHD and Anxiety?
Therapy can help adults develop practical strategies for managing symptoms and everyday challenges.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, may help people recognize unhelpful thought patterns and develop skills for managing problems related to attention, organization, worry, and daily responsibilities.
For adults with ADHD, therapy may also focus on time management, organization, completing tasks, and coping with frustration.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
Consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional if difficulties with attention, organization, excessive worry, restlessness, or sleep are consistently affecting your daily life.
Professional support may be especially useful when symptoms are affecting:
- Work performance
- School or education
- Relationships
- Household responsibilities
- Sleep
- Emotional well-being
- Ability to complete everyday tasks
An evaluation can help clarify what may be contributing to these difficulties.
ADHD and Anxiety Treatment in Dallas, TX
If you are experiencing ADHD and anxiety in adults in Dallas, TX, speaking with a qualified psychiatric provider can help you understand your symptoms and explore appropriate treatment options.
At 24-7 Shalom Psychiatry, individuals can discuss their mental health concerns and receive care based on their individual needs.
A provider can review your symptoms, history, and treatment goals and help determine what type of psychiatric care may be appropriate.
Taking the Next Step
Living with symptoms of ADHD and anxiety can be challenging, especially when the conditions overlap.
Understanding your symptoms is an important first step. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify whether ADHD, anxiety, another condition, or a combination of factors may be contributing to your difficulties.