“How Do I Know If It’s ADHD or Anxiety?”
Why It’s So Hard to Tell the Difference Between Anxiety and ADHD
If you've ever sat down to focus, only to find your thoughts scattered, your to-do list overwhelming, and your body on edge, you’ve probably asked yourself:
Is this anxiety, ADHD, or something else entirely?
Anxiety and ADHD often share symptoms and can even co-exist. But the way they show up and the root causes behind them are very different. Understanding the distinction is a key step toward finding the right support.
ADHD and anxiety can both cause:
Trouble focusing
Restlessness or fidgeting
Disrupted sleep
Difficulty completing tasks
Racing thoughts
Overwhelm in everyday situations
So it makes sense that people often confuse one for the other, or don’t realize they may be living with both.
But despite their overlapping symptoms, ADHD and anxiety stem from different mechanisms in the brain. That difference matters, especially when it comes to diagnosis and treatment.
ADHD vs. Anxiety: A Closer Look
Trouble focusing?
ADHD ➝ Inconsistent attention, easily distracted, or hyper-focused
Anxiety ➝ Focus hijacked by worry or overthinking
Procrastination?
ADHD ➝ Struggles with motivation and task initiation (executive function issues)
Anxiety ➝ Fear-based avoidance (perfectionism, fear of failure)
Racing thoughts?
ADHD ➝ Rapid, scattered, jumping between topics
Anxiety ➝ Repetitive, worry-focused (“what if” loops)
Forgetfulness?
ADHD ➝ Ongoing, even in calm situations
Anxiety ➝ Usually worse during stress or panic
Physical symptoms?
ADHD ➝ May include restlessness or sensory overload
Anxiety ➝ Often involves tension, nausea, racing heart
The ADHD-Anxiety Cycle
For many people, the two conditions feed into one another. Living with untreated ADHD—constantly losing track of time, missing deadlines, or feeling disorganized—can lead to chronic stress, shame, and eventually anxiety.
Imagine feeling like you're always falling short, no matter how hard you try. That stress doesn’t just live in your head—it shows up in your body, mood, and relationships, too.
How It Often Feels
If you live with anxiety, you might think:
“What if I mess this up?”If you live with ADHD, you might think:
“I forgot to do that thing—again.”If you live with both, you might think:
“I forgot to do the thing, and now I’m worried everyone’s going to think I can’t handle anything. Why can’t I just get it together?”
Getting Clarity is a Game-Changer
It’s normal to feel confused or overwhelmed trying to figure this out. The best way to know what’s going on is to talk with a mental health professional who understands how ADHD and anxiety show up, especially in adults.
An assessment can help identify what’s driving your symptoms and guide you toward effective strategies—whether that’s therapy, coaching, medication, or a combination.
You Deserve Support That Fits Your Brain
If you’re starting to see yourself in these symptoms, you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Life Matters Counseling and Psychological Services, we offer comprehensive support for adult ADHD, from diagnosis to day-to-day strategies.
Emma Mansour, PhD, a licensed psychologist, provides thorough ADHD evaluations for adults.
Emily Szalay, ACMHC, offers therapy and ADHD-focused skills training, helping you manage symptoms and build confidence in daily life.
Both providers are accepting new clients, offer online booking, and take most major insurances. Whether you're looking for answers or tools to thrive with ADHD, we’ve got you covered.
👉 Get started today—evaluation and skills in one place.