ADHD Adult ADD/ADHD Anxiety and ADHD in Adults By Keath Low Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 21, 2023 Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Prakasit Khuansuwan / EyeEm / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Understanding Anxiety and ADHD How They Interact Telling Anxiety and ADHD Apart Treating Anxiety and ADHD Trending Videos Close this video player Anxiety and ADHD are very different, but it isn't uncommon for people with ADHD to experience anxiety symptoms. Poorly accommodated ADHD can be stressful, which may explain why about half of all adults with ADHD also have a co-occurring anxiety disorder. Because there can sometimes be overlap between anxiety and ADHD, distinguishing between them can sometimes be challenging. Both ADHD and anxiety can cause people to feel restless and unable to concentrate. At a Glance Anxiety and ADHD are separate and distinct, but it is not uncommon for them to occur together. This can create additional challenges and complicate diagnosis and treatment. It is important to remember that ADHD involves differences in how a person's brain works, it's not something that needs to be 'fixed' or 'cured.' Learning more about ADHD and getting the right type of support may help reduce symptoms of anxiety, but you may also need treatments that specifically target anxiety symptoms, including therapy and medication. Get Help Now We've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you. Understanding Anxiety and ADHD In addition to the anxiety symptoms associated with ADHD described above, research does find a strong association between ADHD and anxiety disorders. Around 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. Characteristics of ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a form of neurodivergence that first appears in childhood. ADHD brains differ in terms of structure and function, which can lead to challenges with hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. People with ADHD brains may struggle to pay attention and put off doing things that don't hold their interest. They may have difficulty focusing, seem distracting, and struggle with planning. In some cases, such behaviors can look a lot like anxiety. The Best Online Resources for ADHD of 2024 Symptoms of Anxiety Anxiety disorders can manifest themselves in a variety of physical, mood, cognitive and behavioral symptom patterns. Common features of these disorders are excessive anxiety, worry, nervousness, and fear. This is often accompanied by feelings of restlessness, being "keyed up" or constantly on edge, problems with concentration (or mind going blank), sleep disturbances, muscle tension, irritability, fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed. Such symptoms can make it very hard for a person to relax. Many people cope with their symptoms by avoiding the situations that cause anxiety. When people with anxiety are forced to face these situations, they may only be able to do so by spending excessive time and effort preparing. Anxiety also leads people to procrastinate or avoid making decisions. Or they might constantly ask others for reassurance to help manage their worries. The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety of 2024, Tried and Tested How Anxiety and ADHD Influence One Another ADHD can make many aspects of daily living more stressful. Traits such as time blindness, restlessness, and trouble focusing can make everyday tasks and obligations challenging. People may have anxiety separate from their ADHD, but it isn't unusual for people to feel anxiety due to living with ADHD. ADHD can cause people to miss deadlines or forget necessary appointments. It can cause people to procrastinate until the last minute or get distracted by interesting tasks while neglecting others. This can lead to problems at school and work. Relationships can also suffer. The frustrations that this brings can take a toll on self-esteem, contribute to stress, and result in feelings of anxiety. Lack of ADHD accommodations and undiagnosed adult ADHD can make anxiety symptoms worse. Understanding ADHD and knowing how to ask for accommodations at work and school can help reduce the distress caused by being expected to function in a neurotypical way when you don't have a neurotypical brain. Distinguishing Between Anxiety and ADHD Anxiety and ADHD can contribute to problems concentrating, insomnia, difficulty meeting deadlines, and restlessness. However, there are key differences between the two. ADHD is a form of neurodivergence that begins in childhood. People often exhibit patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.Anxiety, on the other hand, is marked by feelings of worry and nervousness. It typically emerges during the teen and young adult years. If you are having trouble differentiating between the two, you might start by asking yourself what's causing the underlying issue you notice. For example, if you are worrying because you find it hard to concentrate, then it's likely that your anxiety is being caused or worsened by your ADHD. On the other hand, if you find it hard to focus because you are so anxious, then the problem itself is the anxiety and not your ADHD. Treating Anxiety and ADHD Anxiety and ADHD can make daily living more challenging when they occur together. Both can contribute to problems with focus, increased procrastination, and poor time management. A combination of anxiety and ADHD can also make daily life seem more stressful and overwhelming. Certain features of ADHD can overlap with anxiety, but being neurodivergent in a neurotypical-centered society can also create fear, worry, anxiety, and trauma. One of the first steps in planning treatment is to decipher whether these concerns are caused by a lack of appropriate accommodations or whether they are the result of a separate, co-existing anxiety disorder. Whether or not a person meets the diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder, it is clear that symptoms of ADHD can result in chronic anxiety that can further impair a person’s functioning, happiness, and level of self-esteem. Getting the right kind of support and treatment can help. Having both ADHD and anxiety may also complicate the treatment process. While the two conditions can occur together, they are distinct and require different management approaches. Anxiety is typically treated with psychotherapy, although medications may also be prescribed. Therapy Types of therapy that can be effective include: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps people identify the negative thought patterns that contribute to feelings of anxiety. By challenging and replacing these thoughts, people are able to think in ways that are more realistic and less anxiety-provoking. Exposure therapy: This approach involves gradual, progressive exposure to the source of a person's fear. Over time, the anxiety-response begins to gradually fade. Therapy can also help people with ADHD learn more about how their brain works, challenges they might face, and strategies to help them cope more effectively. We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT Medication Medications are often prescribed to treat ADHD. Stimulant medications are most commonly used, but non-stimulant options may also be prescribed. Sometimes, people may experience increased anxiety symptoms when they first start taking stimulant ADHD medications. This effect often goes away over time as the body adjusts to medication, but you should talk to your doctor if the problems persists. Anti-anxiety medications are also an option, depending on the individual and their needs. Anti-anxiety medications may include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). ADHD Medication and Anxiety Looking for a Psychiatrist? Try One of These 9 Best Online Psychiatry Services Lifestyle Modifications If you have anxiety and ADHD, there are also a number of self-help strategies that may help you cope with feelings of anxiety. Relaxation Techniques There are a number of effective relaxation techniques that can help people manage symptoms of anxiety. These include deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation. Sleep Anxiety and ADHD can interfere with sleep, so finding ways to improve your rest may be beneficial. Strategies that can help include avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, going to bed at the same time each night, and creating a restful sleep environment. Physical Activity Studies have shown that exercise may help improve executive functioning in people with ADHD. Research has also shown that exercise can be very effective in reducing anxiety symptoms. The key to staying active with ADHD is to choose activities that you enjoy. If something doesn't hold your interest, you're bound to get bored. Instead, try something fun like biking, rock climbing, swimming, dancing, or gymnastics. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 4 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Quenneville AF, Kalogeropoulou E, Nicastro R, Weibel S, Chanut F, Perroud N. Anxiety disorders in adult ADHD: A frequent comorbidity and a risk factor for externalizing problems. Psychiatry Res. 2022;310:114423. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114423 Koyuncu A, Ayan T, Ince Guliyev E, Erbilgin S, Deveci E. Adhd and anxiety disorder comorbidity in children and adults: diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2022;24(2):129-140. doi:10.1007/s11920-022-01324-5 Mehren A, Reichert M, Coghill D, Müller HHO, Braun N, Philipsen A. Physical exercise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - evidence and implications for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul. 2020;7:1. doi:10.1186/s40479-019-0115-2 Aylett E, Small N, Bower P. Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice - a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):559. doi:10.1186/s12913-018-3313-5 By Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. 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