Is There a Link Between ADHD and Anxiety?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can make you feel like you have dozens of mental tabs open at once, while anxiety pressures you to close them all right now. What’s difficult to determine is whether you’re dealing with two separate issues or if one is feeding the other. So, is there a link between ADHD and anxiety? In this article, we’ll break down each mental health condition and give you a better understanding of what you’re experiencing and what your options are.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how your brain regulates attention, behavior, and impulse control. It doesn’t necessarily signify a lack of attention, but rather your brain has trouble managing where that attention goes.

Symptoms begin before age 12 and may continue into adulthood, although some people may not receive a diagnosis until later in life. These symptoms are categorized by inattentive and hyperactivity/impulsivity features:

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal response to stress that includes feelings of excessive fear, worry, or nervousness. However, when these feelings become constant and take over your life, you might have an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders, including:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Panic Disorder
• Phobias
• Social Anxiety Disorder
• Separation Anxiety

Symptoms of anxiety can vary person to person, but common ones may include:

• Constant, racing thoughts that are hard to control
• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, dizziness, and shortness of breath
• Behavioral changes like avoiding everyday tasks or social situations
• Increased sensitivity to stressors or perceived threats

How Are ADHD and Anxiety Connected?

There’s a high rate of comorbidity between ADHD and GAD. One survey found that 72% of adults with ADHD also have anxiety, which makes it one of the most common coexisting conditions. However, this doesn’t mean they’re the same thing.

They can coexist, mimic each other, or make one another worse. For some people, anxiety is a byproduct of unmanaged ADHD. For others, the two conditions progress independently and feed into each other over time.

Overlapping Symptoms

Doctors can easily misdiagnose ADHD and/or anxiety because the two share several common symptoms. Someone with ADHD might seem anxious because they’re forgetful. Or someone with anxiety may look distracted because they’re excessively worrying about a situation.

Here are some symptoms that may overlap between the two disorders:

• Trouble focusing or staying on task
• Racing thoughts
• Restlessness and irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Physical tension or fatigue

Essentially, both disorders can hijack your nervous system and keep your body stuck in a neverending fight-or-flight loop.

Can ADHD Cause Anxiety?

Yes, ADHD can contribute to or worsen anxiety. In an ADHD brain, there’s dysregulation of the dopamine and norepinephrine systems, which are two neurotransmitters in charge of attention, motivation, and emotional regulation. When these systems are out of balance, the emotional overload can cause anxiety symptoms. For example:

• Constantly missing deadlines due to forgetfulness
• Getting overwhelmed by simple tasks and spiraling
• Feeling out of control in your relationships or work life

A recent study found that children with more serious ADHD symptoms also experienced more anxiety and somatic complaints, like stomachaches or headaches. So, the worse the ADHD, the more likely you are to feel anxious.

Can Anxiety Cause ADHD?

On the flip side, anxiety does not cause ADHD; however, anxiety can mimic or exacerbate ADHD symptoms. For example:

• Worry loops can reduce your attention span
• Overthinking can make it more difficult to start tasks
• Anxiety-driven insomnia can affect your memory and focus

Treatment for ADHD and Anxiety

How you’re treated will depend on your specific symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day life. Your doctor may recommend one or a few of the following treatments:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a go-to for both conditions. It teaches patients to reframe their negative thought patterns and build healthier coping skills.
  • A meta-analysis found that CBT reduced ADHD symptoms, while improving self-esteem and anxiety symptoms.
• Family or Couples Counseling addresses conflicts within relationship dynamics and helps patients find healthier ways to resolve and prevent them.
• Medications can be used to treat both conditions:
  • ADHD medications include stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) and non-stimulants (atomoxetine or viloxazine)
  • Anxiety medications include SSRIs (fluoxetine and sertraline) and SNRIs (venlafaxine)

A newer approach for treating ADHD is something called coaching. An ADHD coach can help you:

• Break large goals into smaller steps
• Stay accountable and organized
• Use rewards and motivators strategically
• Build personal systems that actually stick

Studies have shown coaching improves cognition, social functioning, and emotional regulation for people with ADHD.

Can ADHD Medication Worsen Anxiety?

In some cases, yes. Stimulant medications can worsen anxiety symptoms, especially if the dosage or type isn’t optimized for the individual. Common symptoms include:

• Increased heart rate
• Increased agitation
• Insomnia
• Emotional blunting

For example, Adderall is a common medication used to treat ADHD, but it’s known to potentially worsen anxiety and depression in certain people. If stimulants aren’t working or are making things worse, you might want to explore alternative options, such as:

• A non-stimulant
• Off-label medications, like bupropion, that can treat both ADHD and anxiety
• Lifestyle changes, including:
  • Mindfulness or meditation
  • Deep breathing or grounding techniques
  • Massage or yoga (reduces physical tension)

Struggling with ADHD, Anxiety, or Both? You’re Not Alone.

ADHD and anxiety are separate conditions with their own challenges, but when they coexist, it can feel impossible to pinpoint what you’re experiencing, let alone manage it. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out by yourself.

If you’re stuck in a cycle of distraction and worry or unsure where your symptoms are coming from, a licensed mental health professional at Cura Behavioral Health can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment, so you can start feeling like you again.

Sources:

• ADHD Awareness Requires Comorbidity Awareness: ADDitude on Anxiety, Depression, LDs, and Beyond – ADDitude
• The Interrelationship Between ADHD and Panic Attacks: A Case Study and Comprehensive Literature Review – Iranian Journal of Child Neurology
• Anxiety and Somatic Symptoms in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – Psychiatry Journal
• Adult ADHD and comorbid anxiety and depressive disorders: a review of etiology and treatment – Frontiers in Psychiatry
• Development of a manualized coaching intervention for adult ADHD – International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring
• The Effects of Adderall on the Body – Healthline