Why Do ADHD and Anxiety Often Appear Together?

Key Takeaways

• Up to 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, and the relationship goes both ways—untreated ADHD creates anxiety through constant stress, while high anxiety worsens ADHD symptoms.

• ADHD and anxiety share overlapping symptoms like trouble concentrating, racing thoughts, and sleep problems, making misdiagnosis common; a thorough evaluation by a skilled professional is essential for accurate diagnosis.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, and behavioral strategies are most effective for treating both conditions together; stimulant medications can sometimes increase anxiety, so non-stimulant options may be preferred.

• Women, girls, and adolescents with ADHD experience stronger ADHD-anxiety connections than their male counterparts, and early support during teen years significantly prevents long-term challenges.

• The daily stress of managing ADHD symptoms creates chronic low-level stress that develops into anxiety or depression over time, so addressing both conditions simultaneously provides better outcomes than treating them separately.

• Finding a therapist experienced in both ADHD and anxiety with familiarity in evidence-based therapies like CBT is crucial; virtual therapy options make professional support more accessible across different locations and languages.

If you or someone you love has been juggling ADHD and anxiety at the same time, you are definitely not alone. These two conditions show up together far more often than most people realize. In fact, research shows that up to 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. That is a striking number — and it means millions of people are dealing with both at once.

Living with ADHD and anxiety together can feel exhausting. Your mind races, you forget things, you feel overwhelmed, and then you worry about all of it. It can be hard to know where one condition ends and the other begins. The good news is that understanding how these two conditions interact is the first step toward feeling better. And with the right support, real relief is absolutely possible.

Let’s break it all down in a way that actually makes sense — and talk about what you can do about it.

What Is the Connection Between ADHD and Anxiety?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and anxiety are two different mental health conditions. But they tend to travel together. Researchers call this “comorbidity” — meaning two conditions occur in the same person at the same time.

Studies show that between 25% and 56% of adults with ADHD also meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder. For children, the numbers are also significant. One large study found that 27.4% of children aged 9–10 with ADHD also had anxiety or fear disorders. These are not small percentages. This overlap is real and it is common.

The relationship between ADHD and anxiety goes both ways. Untreated ADHD can create anxiety. When you constantly forget things, miss deadlines, or feel out of control, worry naturally follows. On the flip side, high anxiety can make ADHD symptoms feel worse. The two conditions feed off each other, which is why getting support for both matters so much. For a deeper look at anxiety on its own, check out this helpful guide on understanding anxiety signs, types, and treatment options.

How Do ADHD and Anxiety Feel Different — And the Same?

One of the trickiest parts of dealing with these two conditions is that their symptoms overlap quite a bit. This makes it hard to figure out what’s actually going on — even for trained professionals. Below is a quick comparison to help you see the similarities and differences.

Symptom	ADHD	Anxiety
Trouble concentrating	Yes	Yes
Racing thoughts	Yes	Yes
Restlessness	Yes	Yes
Sleep problems	Yes	Yes
Forgetting tasks	Yes	Sometimes
Avoiding situations due to fear	Sometimes	Yes
Impulsivity	Yes	Rarely
Excessive worry	Rarely	Yes

As you can see, many symptoms look almost identical. This is why a proper, thorough evaluation is so important. Misdiagnosis is common when both conditions are present, which is why working with a skilled therapist or mental health provider makes a real difference.

Why Does This Combination Happen So Often?

You might wonder — why do ADHD and anxiety occur together so frequently? There are several reasons researchers have identified:

1. Shared brain chemistry: Both conditions involve how the brain regulates attention, emotions, and responses to stress. The same neurobiological pathways are affected.
2. Genetic links: Research suggests that genetic factors can predispose someone to both ADHD and anxiety. If these conditions run in your family, your risk may be higher.
3. The stress of living with ADHD: Struggling with organization, memory, and focus every single day is genuinely stressful. Over time, that stress can develop into an anxiety disorder.
4. Neurocognitive overlap: Both conditions affect how the brain processes information and manages emotional regulation, making them likely to appear together.

Understanding the “why” helps reduce the self-blame that so many people with ADHD and anxiety carry. This is not a personal failing. It is biology — and it is treatable.

Who Is Most Affected by ADHD and Anxiety Together?

While ADHD and anxiety can affect anyone, certain groups tend to experience the combination more intensely. Research points to some important patterns:

• Women and girls: Studies show the ADHD-anxiety relationship is stronger in females. Women with ADHD are more likely to also develop anxiety than their male counterparts.
• Adolescents: Teens dealing with school pressure, social challenges, and identity struggles face a higher risk. Anxiety can develop on top of ADHD during these formative years.
• Adults with undiagnosed ADHD: Many adults spent years not knowing they had ADHD. Years of struggling without support often lead to significant anxiety.
• People with a family history: Genetics plays a role. If ADHD or anxiety runs in your family, your chances of experiencing both are higher.

For adolescents especially, early support makes a huge difference. If your teen is showing signs of both conditions, exploring therapy services sooner rather than later can help prevent long-term challenges.

The Real-Life Impact of Having Both Conditions

When ADHD and anxiety co-exist, daily life becomes significantly harder. Research confirms that people with both conditions experience a higher burden of illness and reduced quality of life compared to those with just one condition.

Here is what that can look like in real life:

• Struggling to start tasks because of both distraction (ADHD) and fear of failure (anxiety)
• Feeling overwhelmed at work or school, leading to avoidance
• Difficulty in relationships because of impulsivity and worry about being judged
• Poor sleep due to both a racing mind and nighttime worry
• Feeling like you’re always behind, always forgetting something, always one step from disaster

If any of this sounds familiar, know that these feelings are valid — and they are also very common. You are not “too much.” You are carrying two heavy loads at once. That deserves real support, not judgment. For more on how anxiety can affect your daily experience, explore our article on panic attacks and how they show up in everyday life.

Can Anxiety Look Like ADHD or Vice Versa?

Yes — and this is one of the most common diagnostic challenges. A person with severe anxiety may appear inattentive or distracted because their mind is consumed with worry. On the flip side, someone with untreated ADHD may look anxious because they are constantly behind and overwhelmed.

This is why a thorough evaluation matters so much. A skilled therapist or psychotherapist will look carefully at the full picture — not just isolated symptoms. Visit our page on working with a psychotherapist to learn more about what that process looks like.

Treatment Options for ADHD and Anxiety Together

Here is something important to know: treating both conditions at the same time requires careful planning. What helps one condition can sometimes complicate the other. For example, stimulant medications used for ADHD can sometimes increase anxiety symptoms. This is why treatment needs to be personalized and thoughtful.

The most effective approaches often include a combination of strategies:

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps people challenge unhelpful thought patterns. It is highly effective for both anxiety and ADHD-related challenges like procrastination and low self-esteem.
2. Behavioral strategies: Learning practical tools for organization, time management, and emotional regulation can reduce the daily stress that fuels anxiety.
3. Mindfulness-based approaches: Mindfulness helps calm the nervous system and improve focus. It is increasingly supported by research for both ADHD and anxiety.
4. Medication management (in coordination with a doctor): When medication is part of the picture, careful selection matters. Non-stimulant ADHD medications may be preferred when anxiety is significant.
5. Talk therapy: Simply having a safe, supportive space to process what you are going through can be transformative. Therapy helps you understand yourself better and develop coping tools that actually work.

Research strongly supports addressing both conditions together rather than treating them in isolation. When anxiety is treated effectively, ADHD symptoms often improve too — and vice versa. You can also learn more about broader anxiety treatment options that may be part of your care plan.

What to Look for in a Therapist for ADHD and Anxiety

Finding the right therapist is one of the most important steps. Here is what to look for:

• Experience with both ADHD and anxiety disorders
• A warm, non-judgmental approach
• Familiarity with evidence-based therapies like CBT
• Flexibility to offer in-person or virtual sessions
• Bilingual services if Spanish is your preferred language

At West Florida Therapy, Margaret Deuerlein is a caring, experienced psychotherapist who works with adults and adolescents dealing with anxiety, ADHD-related challenges, mood issues, and more. She provides both in-person sessions in her office and virtual therapy throughout all of Florida. Bilingual services in English and Spanish are also available — because everyone deserves support in the language they feel most comfortable in.

You can visit West Florida Therapy on Google to read reviews and learn more about the experience clients have had working with Margaret.

How Stress and Other Mental Health Conditions Factor In

It is also worth noting that ADHD and anxiety rarely exist in a vacuum. Many people dealing with both conditions also experience depression, stress-related challenges, or other mood issues. Research shows that depressive disorders affect 18.6%–53.3% of people with ADHD — a wide range, but clearly significant.

Chronic stress is another major player. The daily grind of managing ADHD — missing appointments, losing things, struggling to focus — creates a kind of ongoing low-level stress that can turn into anxiety or depression over time. For more on how stress affects your health, read our article on acute vs. chronic stress.

For trusted public health resources, the CDC’s Mental Health Resources offer evidence-based guidance on caring for mental health, and Florida’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health services can provide state-level support. You can also explore Florida Department of Health Mental Health Links for additional local resources.

Taking the First Step Toward Support

If you have been reading this and thinking, “This sounds like me” — that recognition matters. Understanding that ADHD and anxiety often go hand in hand is empowering. It means there is a name for what you are experiencing, and there are real, proven ways to feel better.

You do not have to figure this out alone. Whether you are an adult who has struggled for years, a teen feeling overwhelmed at school, or a parent concerned about your child, professional support is available and it works. Explore the full range of therapy services at West Florida Therapy and see what feels right for you.

Ready to take that next step? Reach out to West Florida Therapy today to schedule your first session — in person or virtually, in English or Spanish. Margaret Deuerlein is here to help you understand what you are going through and build a path toward real, lasting relief.

FAQs

Q: How common is it to have both ADHD and anxiety at the same time?

A: It is actually very common! Research shows that between 25% and 56% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. For children, about 27% of those with ADHD also show signs of anxiety. So if you are dealing with both, you are far from alone.

Q: Can ADHD cause anxiety, or does anxiety cause ADHD?

A: The relationship goes both ways! Untreated ADHD can lead to anxiety over time because of the daily stress of managing symptoms. At the same time, high anxiety can make ADHD symptoms feel worse. This is why it is so helpful to address both conditions together in therapy.

Q: What is the best treatment for someone with both ADHD and anxiety?

A: A combination of therapy approaches tends to work best — especially Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based strategies, and practical behavioral tools. A skilled therapist like Margaret Deuerlein at West Florida Therapy can help you create a personalized plan that addresses both conditions effectively.

Q: Can anxiety symptoms be mistaken for ADHD, or the other way around?

A: Absolutely — this happens all the time! Both conditions share symptoms like trouble concentrating, restlessness, and sleep problems. A thorough evaluation by a trained mental health professional is the best way to get an accurate picture of what is really going on.

Q: Is virtual therapy an option for treating ADHD and anxiety in Florida?

A: Yes! West Florida Therapy offers virtual therapy sessions across all of Florida, making it easy to get support from the comfort of your own home. Bilingual services in English and Spanish are also available, so you can work with a therapist in the language that feels most natural to you.