Anxiety, ADHD, or Both?
Do you or your child struggle with focus, restlessness, or constant overwhelm? Maybe you’ve wondered: is it anxiety, ADHD, or both? These conditions often overlap, making it hard to know what’s really going on and how to help.
Similarities Between Anxiety and ADHD
Anxiety and ADHD can look surprisingly similar on the surface. Both may involve:
Difficulty focusing
Restlessness or fidgeting
Poor sleep
Emotional dysregulation
In fact, nearly 40% of children with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder, according to recent data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Among adults, anxiety co-occurs in up to 56% of those with ADHD (Nigg & Barkley, 2023).
Key Differences
While symptoms overlap, the underlying causes differ:
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects attention regulation, impulse control, and executive function.
Anxiety is rooted in fear-based thought patterns, excessive worry, and avoidance behavior.
For example, a student with ADHD may forget to turn in homework because they got distracted. A student with anxiety might avoid homework altogether due to fear of making a mistake. Both may result in poor academic performance, but for very different reasons.
The Overlap
Many people, especially teens and adults, are misdiagnosed with one when they may experience both. The symptom overlap can pose specific challenges, especially when anxiety can mask or mimics inattention.
A recent study in Frontiers in Psychology found that anxiety often co-exists with executive dysfunction, but doesn’t necessarily cause it. In fact, for some individuals, anxiety may actually reduce impulsive behavior (Ramos-Rodríguez et al., 2023). This nuance is crucial for clinicians assessing overlapping symptoms.
Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Without a clear diagnosis, it’s easy to treat the wrong issue:
Treating anxiety in someone with undiagnosed ADHD may reduce worry but not improve focus.
Treating ADHD alone may worsen anxiety if the root fear-based patterns are ignored.
That’s why our therapists at Well Mind Body conduct comprehensive assessments that consider the whole picture, medical history, emotional profile, executive functioning, and lifestyle factors.
Treatment That Works
Fortunately, both anxiety and ADHD respond well to therapy. This is especially when treatment is tailored to the individual. Evidence-based approaches include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Targets both worry (anxiety) and behavior planning (ADHD).
Executive Function Coaching: Helps clients plan, organize, and follow through on tasks.
Goal-Focused Cognitive Remediation: Recently shown to improve attention and anxiety in individuals with both diagnoses (Ramos-Rodríguez et al., 2023).
Physical Exercise & Movement-Based Therapy: Structured physical activity has been shown to significantly improve attention and reduce anxiety in children with ADHD (Wu et al., 2025).
What We Offer at Well Mind Body
We specialize in treating the complex overlap between anxiety, ADHD, and executive dysfunction across all ages. Whether you’re a parent seeking answers for your child, a teen navigating school stress, or an adult overwhelmed by daily demands, we’re here to help.
Our services include:
Individual therapy for kids, teens, and adults
Family and couples therapy
Executive function support
Holistic, integrative treatment planning
Online and in-person sessions for flexibility
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all therapy. Our experienced team works with you to build a plan that feels empowering, not overwhelming.
Ready for Clarity?
If you’re feeling stuck in the cycle of confusion, self-blame, or decision paralysis, please know this: it’s not all in your head, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Our team at Well Mind Body is here to help you uncover what’s really going on and to walk with you toward healing.
Thank you for being here!
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Data and statistics on ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/data/index.html
Nigg, J. T., & Barkley, R. A. (2023). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Current evidence-based diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 52(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2023.1234567
Ramos-Rodríguez, M. M., Hidalgo, V., & Sánchez, M. (2023). Improvement of anxiety in ADHD following goal-focused cognitive remediation: A pilot study. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1212502. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1212502
Wu, X., Zhang, Y., & Chen, L. (2025). The effect of intelligent monitoring of physical exercise on executive function in children with ADHD. arXiv Preprint. https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.09079
