Do you ever feel unsure if it’s ADHD or Anxiety causing your struggles? These conditions can share similar symptoms, which often makes it hard to tell the difference.
Sometimes, anxiety gets mistaken for ADHD, or ADHD is misunderstood as anxiety. To make things more complicated, sometimes anxiety gets mistaken for ADHD, or the other way around. For some, anxiety and ADHD can occur together, making life even more challenging. So, how do you know the difference?
In this blog, we’ll break down what ADHD and anxiety are, their similarities, and their differences – so you can better understand what might be going on and what steps you can take to address it.
What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental condition. It affects how the brain focuses, organizes, and controls impulses.
People with ADHD often describe feeling scattered or overwhelmed by tasks. It’s not just a matter of being forgetful or distracted, ADHD can cause significant challenges in daily life.
While ADHD may begin in childhood, some individuals don’t realize they have it until they’re adults. Adults with ADHD might notice difficulties with work, managing time, or keeping up with responsibilities.
Common ADHD Symptoms
Symptoms of ADHD include three main categories:
1) Inattention
- You forget things a lot like instructions, important dates, or deadlines
- You misplace items (keys, phone, etc.)
- It’s hard to finish tasks or stay organized
- You make simple mistakes in your work
- You have trouble focusing during long meetings, lectures, or reading
- You get distracted easily or can’t stick to a plan
2) Hyperactivity
- You fidget a lot, constantly tap or your hands or feet, or can’t sit still
- You talk a lot, even when it’s not the time for it, or go off on a different tangent while speaking
- You constantly need to move around
- You struggle with quiet activities like reading or watching a movie
- If you’re a kid, you might run or climb when it’s not appropriate
- You find it hard to stay seated, even when you’re supposed to
3) Impulsivity
- You have trouble waiting your turn or waiting in line
- You blurt out answers before someone finishes asking a question
- You might spend money on things you don’t need without thinking it through
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety may feel like an ongoing sense of worry or fear. It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes, like right before a big test or job interview. But when anxiety can cause constant stress, even in non-threatening situations, it might be a disorder. People with anxiety often feel overwhelmed by “what if” thoughts, making it difficult to focus or relax.
Anxiety makes you feel like something bad is about to happen – even when there’s no real danger.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety can come in many types, including:
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Panic Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Social Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Agoraphobia
- Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
But at its core, anxiety is driven by fear, and it’s often accompanied by intense worry about the future or what might go wrong.
Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety symptoms can be both psychological and physical:
Psychological signs:
• Worrying all the time, even about small things
• Feeling like something bad will happen
• Struggling to focus or concentrate
• Feeling restless, tense, or easily irritated
• Not being able to sleep because your mind won’t quiet down
Physical signs:
• Feeling tired or drained
• Racing heart or shortness of breath
• Stomach issues like nausea or feeling sick
• Trembling or shaking
• Excessive sweating or feeling overheated
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Headaches
• Stiff or sore muscles
How Are Anxiety and ADHD Similar?
ADHD and Anxiety can look alike in some ways:
- Trouble Focusing – ADHD makes it hard to focus due to inattention, while Anxiety causes distracting worries.
- Restlessness – ADHD can make you feel restless, while Anxiety creates an inner sense of tension.
- Disruptions in Daily Life – Both ADHD and Anxiety can make it hard to manage tasks, work, or relationships.
How To Tell the Difference Between ADHD and Anxiety
Here’s the key: the reasons behind the symptoms are different.
- ADHD is about focus and impulses. For example, adult ADHD may cause someone to forget deadlines or jump from one task to another.
- Anxiety is about fear and worry. In contrast, people with anxiety might spend hours overthinking decisions or fearing failure.
Hypothetical Example: Alex vs. Sara
Alex struggles to meet deadlines at work. he procrastinates and finds himself jumping between tasks. He starts a project, then decides to grab coffee, and somehow ends up cleaning his kitchen instead. This is ADHD in action. Alex’s brain has trouble staying focused on organized. Treatment for ADHD might include therapy, coaching, or medication to improve focus and structure.
Sara is also behind on her deadlines, but for a different reason. Every time she starts her presentation, she worries it won’t be good enough. Her chest feels tight, her heart races, and she keeps re-reading the same slide. This is Anxiety. Sara’s fear of failure keeps her stuck. Anxiety may improve with techniques like mindfulness, therapy, or relaxation exercises.
Both Alex and Sara struggle with work tasks, but their experiences and solutions are completely different.
It is also possible to have both. This is known as ADHD and comorbid anxiety. The overlap can make it even harder to manage daily life. For example:
ADHD can cause someone to forget deadlines, which might trigger anxiety about falling behind.
Anxiety might make someone second-guess their choices, which can worsen ADHD-related inattention.
Reach Out for a Free Consultation
The good news? ADHD and anxiety are both manageable. With the right support, you can find ways to cope and thrive. A mental health professional can help you figure out what’s going on and create a plan that works for you.
At Get Reconnected Psychotherapy Services, we’re here to help you navigate your challenges, figure out what’s going on, and find the right strategies to feel better. Contact us today for a free 15-minute consultation to see how we can help you start feeling better.