Can ADHD Cause Anxiety?

Michelle Pugle
·5 min read

Living with ADHD can cause anxiety, but there are ways to cope

Medically reviewed by Kira Graves, PhD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders are separate conditions that commonly occur together. For example, up to 50% of adults with ADHD may have an anxiety disorder, and around 25% of adults with ADHD also have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Children with ADHD are also more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.

Treatment can help improve ADHD symptoms and thus ease anxious feelings. This article explains the connection between ADHD and anxiety, as well as what you can do to feel less anxious.

<p>Cavan Images / Getty Images</p>

Cavan Images / Getty Images

Related: What Is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?

What to Expect From ADHD and Anxiety

Anxiety is not part of the clinical criteria for ADHD diagnosis, but living with unregulated symptoms of ADHD can be incredibly stressful and anxiety producing. An anxiety disorder can result from living with ADHD. Experts also say anxiety disorder is ADHD’s most common co-occurring (comorbid) disorder.



Anxiety and ADHD

People who have ADHD and anxiety disorder often experience more severe symptoms of both conditions. Getting an accurate diagnosis can be more complicated. Treatment is also more complicated with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorder.



Related: Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Anxiety vs. ADHD

There are key differences between anxiety and ADHD. There are also similarities. While it can sometimes be challenging to tell the difference when you’re living with both, understanding how to recognize anxiety vs. ADHD can help guide you toward getting to the root cause of your symptoms, and accessing the most effective treatment.

How to Recognize ADHD

Adult ADHD behavior is characterized by:

  • Difficulty focusing or staying on task (i.e., easily distracted in any situation)

  • Forgetfulness (i.e., missing deadlines and important dates, forgetting instructions, misplacing items)

  • Challenges with prioritization and organization (i.e., everything or nothing seems important and urgent)

  • Extreme restlessness or fidgeting (i.e., shifting in seat, tapping feet, stimming)

  • Impulsivity (i.e., acting without considering full spectrum of consequences including making purchases you can’t afford)

  • Interrupting others, speaking too quickly or too much, or finding it hard to follow conversation

  • Emotional dysregulation (i.e., having a hard time regulating responses and experiencing sudden emotional extremes including irritability and anger)

Related: How to Manage Sensory Overload in ADHD

How to Recognize Anxiety

Anxiety in adults is characterized by:

  • Physical symptoms resulting from feelings of impending doom, panic, or danger (i.e., headaches, sweating, increased heart rate, dizziness, chest tightness)

  • Feeling distracted by worries or fearful thoughts (i.e., trouble concentrating on anything other than the worry)

  • Sleep disturbances (i.e., falling asleep and staying asleep are challenging)

  • Irritability (i.e., being quick to become upset, low tolerance to frustration)

  • Avoidance (i.e., actively trying to avoid any causes of anxiety)

Related: Realities and Everyday Struggles With High-Functioning Anxiety

How to Tell the Difference

Speaking with your healthcare provider about your specific symptoms can help determine whether or not the cause is ADHD or anxiety, or both.You may be able to tell the difference between anxiety and ADHD by considering the following:

  • People living with anxiety disorders experience concentration issues directly related to feelings of worry or nervousness (i.e., anxiety occurs in triggering situations or settings). People living with untreated ADHD will experience difficulty concentrating even when they are not worried or nervous.

  • People living with ADHD experience worry and anxiety related to their ADHD symptoms. People living with anxiety disorders experience worry and anxiety because of their anxiety disorder.



Is ADHD a Mental Illness?


While we are discussing anxiety and ADHD together, it's important to note that anxiety is considered a mental health condition or mental illness, and ADHD is not a mental illness. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can be explained as a biological and/or genetic difference in brain structure and functioning.



Related: Neurodevelopmental Disorders

How to Treat ADHD and Anxiety

The first line of treatment for ADHD includes medication such as stimulants like Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and non-stimulants like Strattera (atomoxetine) for ADHD. Antianxiety medications like Xanax (alprazolam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are also available to ease symptoms of anxiety.

In addition to medication, your healthcare provider may recommend therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for an anxiety disorder and support groups for people living with ADHD and anxiety. Therapy can include learning new coping skills, addressing underlying thought patterns contributing to anxiety, and practicing mindfulness.

Related: 4 Types of Adult ADHD Therapy

Lifestyle Remedies

Lifestyle remedies can also be used to help cope with anxiety. Here are some basic strategies you can try:

  • Get quality sleep to help you think more clearly and focus better.

  • Reduce overall stress levels to help boost emotional resilience.

  • Build stronger emotional resilience to cope with everyday stressors.

  • Create and maintain healthy social connections to influence personal well-being.



Rule of 3 for Anxiety

Sometimes even with our best efforts, anxiety still happens. Coping on the spot can look like practicing the common and informal "rule of 3," or the 333 method of easing anxiety. To do this anywhere, simply identify:

  • Three things you can see

  • Three things you can hear

  • Three things you can move or touch (like your limbs or external objects)



Related: Best Online Therapy for Anxiety

Effects of ADHD Medication on Your Anxiety

The effects of ADHD medication like Adderall can produce anxiety. For example, if anxiety is caused by living with ADHD, then treating ADHD with medication may help to reduce anxiety. Bear in mind, though, that some stimulant medications for ADHD may worsen anxiety associated with anxiety disorder.

It’s best to consult with your healthcare provider about all symptoms so they can help determine the most effective method of treatment.

Related: ADHD Medications and Side Effects

Summary

ADHD and anxiety often occur together. Living with ADHD can be anxiety producing, and anxiety disorders are common co-occurring disorders with ADHD. Knowing the difference can help determine whether you’re experiencing anxiety from ADHD or independently of ADHD.

Diagnosis and treatment can be more complicated with comorbid conditions. Still, treatment with medication and therapy and lifestyle remedies can help ease symptoms.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.