The Link Between ADHD and Anxiety: What You Should Know

If you or someone you love is living with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you may have noticed that anxiety often seems to tag along for the ride. While ADHD and anxiety are two distinct mental health conditions, it’s incredibly common for individuals to experience both. In fact, research shows that up to 50% of adults and children with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder.

At T & C Psych, we believe that understanding the connection between ADHD and anxiety is an essential step toward getting the right treatment and improving overall quality of life.

How ADHD and Anxiety Intersect

ADHD is characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, while anxiety is marked by excessive worry, fear, or nervousness. Though different in their core symptoms, the overlap in how they affect daily functioning can be significant:

• Difficulty focusing can be a symptom of both ADHD and anxiety.

• Restlessness may stem from hyperactivity or anxiety-induced agitation.

• Poor sleep, irritability, and racing thoughts are commonly reported in both conditions.

This overlap can sometimes make it difficult to tell where one condition ends and the other begins.

Why Do ADHD and Anxiety Often Occur Together?

There are several reasons why someone with ADHD may also experience anxiety:

• Living with ADHD can be stressful. Struggling to stay organized, meet deadlines, or keep up in school or work settings can create chronic stress that eventually leads to anxiety.

• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), common in people with ADHD, can cause an intense fear of criticism or failure, feeding into anxiety.

• Genetics and brain chemistry may also play a role—both conditions are linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

How Coexisting ADHD and Anxiety Impact Each Other

When ADHD and anxiety occur together, symptoms from one condition can intensify the other. For example:

• Anxiety can worsen executive dysfunction. Worry and fear may further impair planning and organization.

• ADHD impulsivity may trigger anxious regret or increased stress after acting without thinking.

• Avoidance behaviors due to anxiety may be misinterpreted as ADHD-related inattention.

This mutual reinforcement can make daily life more challenging and complicate treatment—especially when only one condition is being addressed.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Accurate diagnosis is key. At T & C Psych, our experienced providers take the time to evaluate the full picture, ruling out other conditions and considering how ADHD and anxiety may be affecting one another.

Treatment may include:

• Medication: Stimulants or non-stimulants for ADHD, along with anti-anxiety medications, if appropriate.

• Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective for anxiety and can also help people with ADHD develop coping skills.

• Lifestyle strategies: Mindfulness, exercise, sleep routines, and organizational tools can support both conditions.

Treatment plans are highly individualized because no two people experience these disorders in exactly the same way.

When to Seek Help

If you or your child is experiencing:

• Constant worry or fear

• Difficulty focusing that interferes with work or school

• Restlessness or irritability

• Overwhelming stress due to ADHD-related challenges

…it’s time to talk to a professional.

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

At T & C Psych, we specialize in diagnosing and treating ADHD, anxiety, and coexisting conditions. Our compassionate team is here to help you understand your symptoms, create a treatment plan that works, and take meaningful steps toward better mental health.

Schedule an appointment today and let’s work together toward balance, focus, and peace of mind.