ADHD and Anxiety: Understanding the Overlap
They share symptoms, they feed each other, and they're frequently misdiagnosed. Here's how to make sense of ADHD and anxiety when they co-occur.
About half of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. The two conditions share overlapping symptoms — difficulty concentrating, restlessness, sleep problems — which makes them easy to confuse and hard to untangle. If you've been diagnosed with one but treatment isn't fully working, the other may be playing a role.
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Why ADHD and Anxiety Overlap
ADHD and anxiety overlap for two reasons. First, they share surface-level symptoms: both cause difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and sleep problems. Second, untreated ADHD frequently causes anxiety as a downstream effect — years of missed deadlines, forgotten commitments, and underperformance create a chronic state of worry and self-doubt.
This means some people have two independent conditions (ADHD + an anxiety disorder), while others have ADHD that generates anxiety-like symptoms. The distinction matters because the treatment approach is different.
ADHD vs. Anxiety: Symptom Comparison
| Symptom | In ADHD | In Anxiety |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty concentrating | Brain jumps between topics; understimulated | Brain is stuck on a specific worry |
| Restlessness | Need for movement and stimulation | Driven by nervousness and tension |
| Sleep problems | Can’t shut brain off; no sense of time | Racing worried thoughts; waking at 3 AM |
| Procrastination | Task feels boring; executive dysfunction | Task feels overwhelming; fear of failure |
| Avoidance | Avoids tedious or uninteresting tasks | Avoids situations that trigger fear or worry |
| Irritability | Frustration from being interrupted or bored | Feeling on edge and overstimulated |
| Forgetfulness | Working memory issues; loses track of things | Preoccupied with worry; not encoding new info |
How Untreated ADHD Can Cause Anxiety
Chronic underperformance
Knowing you’re capable but consistently falling short creates a cycle of self-doubt and worry about the next failure.
Disorganization and missed deadlines
Living in a constant state of catching up generates ongoing stress and anxiety about what you’ve forgotten.
Rejection sensitivity
Many people with ADHD experience intense emotional reactions to perceived criticism or rejection, which fuels social anxiety.
Masking and compensation
Years of developing coping strategies to hide ADHD symptoms is mentally exhausting and creates its own anxiety.
Treatment When Both Are Present
When ADHD and anxiety co-occur, treatment needs to address both. The approach depends on which condition is more impairing:
If ADHD is primary
Treating ADHD first often reduces anxiety significantly, because the disorganization and underperformance that fuel the anxiety are addressed. Stimulant medication may be started cautiously with anxiety monitoring.
If anxiety is primary
SSRIs or SNRIs may be started first to reduce anxiety, making it easier to then assess and treat ADHD symptoms. Non-stimulant ADHD medications like atomoxetine can treat both conditions simultaneously.
Therapy for both
CBT is effective for both ADHD and anxiety. ADHD-specific strategies focus on time management, organization, and breaking tasks into steps. Anxiety-specific strategies focus on challenging worried thoughts and reducing avoidance.
Getting Started
If you suspect you have both ADHD and anxiety, the first step is talking to a physician. They can conduct an initial screening, discuss your symptoms and history, and refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for formal ADHD assessment if needed. You don't need a referral to get started.
Canadian Resources
Crisis Services Canada
1-833-456-4566 (24/7) | Text 45645
CADDRA (Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance)
caddra.ca — Find ADHD specialists and resources
Anxiety Canada
anxietycanada.com — Free resources and the MindShift CBT app
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have both ADHD and anxiety at the same time?
Yes. Roughly 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. They are separate conditions that frequently co-occur, and both need to be addressed in treatment for the best outcomes.
How do I know if it’s ADHD or anxiety?
The key difference is the source of the symptom. ADHD-driven restlessness comes from understimulation and a need for novelty. Anxiety-driven restlessness comes from worry and fear. ADHD causes difficulty focusing because your brain jumps between topics. Anxiety causes difficulty focusing because your brain is stuck on a worry. A physician can help distinguish between them.
Can ADHD medication make anxiety worse?
Stimulant medications (like methylphenidate or amphetamines) can sometimes increase anxiety in people who have both conditions. However, many people find that treating ADHD actually reduces their anxiety because they’re no longer struggling with disorganization and missed deadlines. Your doctor will monitor for this and adjust treatment accordingly.
Can an online doctor screen for ADHD?
Yes. A licensed physician can conduct an initial ADHD screening during a virtual consultation, discuss your symptoms and history, and provide a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist for formal assessment if needed. MediNote consultations cost $55 flat fee.
What treatment works for both ADHD and anxiety?
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is effective for both conditions. Medication strategies may include treating the more impairing condition first, or using non-stimulant ADHD medications (like atomoxetine) that can also help anxiety. Your treatment plan should be individualized by a physician.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Content reviewed by licensed Canadian physicians. Last updated February 2026.
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