Is It Anxiety or ADHD? Understanding the Overlap

ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and anxiety are different conditions, but they often feel similar. Both can make you jittery, unfocused, or on edge. For example, someone with ADHD may fidget and lose concentration, and someone with anxiety may also feel restless and find it hard to think. Because of this, it’s common to wonder which one you have. To sort it out, we look at what they have in common and what sets them apart. A careful evaluation by experts can then determine whether you need ADHD support, anxiety treatment, or both.

Both ADHD and anxiety can share mental symptoms. For instance, trouble concentrating, racing thoughts, irritability and trouble sleeping can happen in both conditions. You might notice that on a bad day it’s hard to sit still or finish tasks, whether it’s due to an ADHD attention issue or overwhelming worry. However, the source of the problem differs. ADHD often comes with impatience and impulsivity (acting without thinking) and distractibility all the time. In contrast, anxiety usually involves excessive worry and fears. An anxious person might feel tense or have panic attacks – for example sudden bouts of intense dread, heart racing, or sweating. If your mind is always jumping topics and you struggle with organizing tasks even when you’re relaxed, that points more toward ADHD. If you spend a lot of time worrying about “what if” and have physical stress symptoms, that suggests anxiety.

Importantly, ADHD and anxiety often occur together. Research shows that people with ADHD have a much higher chance of also having an anxiety disorder – estimates are as high as about 50%. In other words, many adults and children with ADHD also feel anxiety, which can make diagnosis tricky. For example, anxiety-related worry can cause inattention (“my mind was blank thinking of worst-case scenarios”), whereas ADHD causes inattention due to brain-based focus problems. Children with ADHD often have a scattered, racing mental chatter, while anxious children (or adults) tend to be stuck on particular worries. Both can even look physically similar – someone might fidget, pace, or look on edge in either case.

Key differences to consider

●       Focus and thought patterns: People with ADHD struggle to focus even when calm; their attention wanders randomly across things. In anxiety, trouble focusing usually happens when worry or fear is high.

●       Types of thoughts: ADHD thoughts often jump from topic to topic. Anxiety thoughts tend to circle around specific fears (such as health, safety, or performance) and can feel uncontrollable. You may worry about many different things all the time if it’s anxiety, whereas ADHD causes distraction but not necessarily worst-case scenario thinking.

●       Physical symptoms: Anxiety frequently comes with bodily signs – a racing heart, muscle tension, sweaty palms or nausea, and a constant “on edge” feeling. ADHD can cause restlessness and fidgeting, but it doesn’t inherently cause those stress-panic symptoms of anxiety. If you experience panic attacks or persistent physical tension, that points to anxiety.

●       Behavioral patterns: ADHD often leads to behaviours like interrupting others, being unable to wait your turn, or hyperactivity (e.g. needing to move around frequently). Anxiety is more about avoidance – you might dodge situations that trigger your worry, or exhibit perfectionism to avoid making mistakes.

Understanding these differences is important because treatments differ. For example, ADHD is often treated with stimulant or non-stimulant medications that target brain focus and impulse control, while anxiety is usually managed with therapy (like CBT) and sometimes anti-anxiety medications. But because they overlap, the only way to know for sure is through professional assessment.

Thorough assessment at a specialist clinic for ADHD or Anxiety

At Psyche Clinic (and similar private practices), evaluation of symptoms is comprehensive and tailored. We start by listening. In an initial consultation, our specialists (psychiatrists and psychologists) ask detailed questions about your history and current struggles. This includes your mood, behaviour, sleep patterns, physical health, and any past diagnoses or family history of ADHD/anxiety. Because ADHD symptoms start in childhood, we often ask about school and childhood behaviour. Family input can be helpful – for example, a parent might share old school reports noting attention or hyperactivity issues.

Next, we use standardized screening tools and questionnaires. This might include forms like the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) or anxiety rating scales. These tools systematically compare your symptoms to criteria for ADHD and anxiety. Clinicians look at things like how long problems have been occurring, and in how many areas of life. A thorough evaluation examines the person’s mental health and medical history, including mood and past or current health conditions, and rules out other causes (for example, thyroid issues or sleep apnea can mimic these problems).

Observations and testing: In some cases, a psychologist might do cognitive testing or observe behaviour in different situations. Together, the team watches for persistent patterns: does inattention happen everywhere (at work, home, social settings) and since childhood? Or do symptoms mainly flare up around specific worries? Accurate diagnosis requires a comprehensive assessment, including a thorough clinical history, observations in multiple settings, standardized rating scales, and, potentially, psychological testing.

Integration of findings: The beauty of our clinic’s approach is that psychiatrists and psychologists work side-by-side. After collecting information, they discuss the case together. The psychiatrist contributes medical and developmental insight, while the psychologist brings understanding of emotions and behaviour. This teamwork helps decide if it’s ADHD, anxiety, or both. By having both kinds of experts involved, we minimize confusion.

Why a combined psychiatry + psychology team matters

Collaborative care – with psychiatrists and psychologists on the same team – gives patients the best support. Psychiatrists (MDs) can evaluate medication needs and watch for physical side effects, while psychologists (PhDs or therapists) are experts in talk therapy, coping skills and behaviour strategies. Patients receive holistic care from the health professional who’s best trained to provide it. In practice, that means: if you need medication for ADHD, the psychiatrist can manage that; if you need therapy to manage anxiety or ADHD-related frustrations, the psychologist can provide it. Together they coordinate so neither aspect is overlooked.

This teamwork also speeds up help. For example, a psychiatrist might spot that anxiety is secondary to untreated ADHD. If so, treating the ADHD can often reduce anxiety symptoms. On the other hand, a psychologist may notice that anxiety is driving attention problems and teach techniques to manage worry first. Patients benefit because there is no “silo” between therapy and medication: communication is built in. In simple terms: one person’s case conference might involve multiple experts, rather than patients having to explain their history over and over again.

Furthermore, because the Psyche Clinic is a small, boutique practice, you won’t be handed off to junior staff. Our senior psychiatrists and psychologists see you directly. This means consistent care: your team knows your story intimately, and treatment (therapy or meds) is adjusted based on everything they jointly observe. The result is more confidence that the true cause of symptoms is identified and treated.

Getting the right support

If you’re wondering whether you or a loved one has ADHD, anxiety, or both, the first step is a specialist’s assessment. Psyche Clinic’s experts will listen carefully and explain what they find in plain language, with empathy and professionalism. We know it can feel overwhelming to take that step, but understanding the overlap can be life-changing. Treatment for both ADHD and anxiety is very effective once you have the right diagnosis.

To learn more about how we help, visit our ADHD services page and Anxiety treatment page. Our psychiatrists and psychologists are ready to guide you to clarity and relief.