Anxiety Disorder vs ADHD: Key Differences and Similarities

 Some people experience a racing mind, a fast heartbeat, or difficulty sitting still. Maybe you struggle to focus on tasks, or you find yourself constantly worrying about things that might not even happen. If these feelings sound familiar, you’re not alone. Many people experience symptoms of anxiety and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and sometimes, it’s hard to tell the two apart.

This blog will help you understand the key differences and surprising similarities between anxiety disorders and ADHD. We’ll explore their symptoms, how they overlap, and how they’re diagnosed and treated. 

By the end, you’ll have a better grasp of these common conditions and why seeking a proper diagnosis from a qualified health professional is important.

What Is an Anxiety Disorder?

Anxiety is a normal human emotion. It’s that feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease you get before an exam, a job interview, or a first date. But for some people, this feeling becomes so intense and persistent that it interferes with their daily life. When this happens, it might be an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health conditions that cause excessive fear and worry. There are several types, including:

  • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Chronic, excessive worry about everyday things like work, family, or health.
  • Panic Disorder: Sudden, unexpected panic attacks that can feel like a heart attack.
  • Social Anxiety Disorder: Intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations.
  • Specific Phobias: An overwhelming fear of a particular object or situation, like spiders or flying.

People with anxiety disorders often have trouble controlling their worries. They might feel restless, tense, and irritable. These feelings can be triggered by stress, but they can also seem to come out of nowhere, making them feel out of control.

What Is ADHD?

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means it’s a condition that affects how the brain develops and works. ADHD is not caused by laziness or a lack of effort. People with ADHD have differences in their brain chemistry and structure that affect their ability to pay attention, control impulsive behaviours, and manage their energy levels.

There are three main types of ADHD:

  • Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: This is often what people used to call ADD. People with this type might struggle with staying focused, getting organised, and following instructions. They can seem dreamy or forgetful.
  • Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: People with this type are often restless, fidgety, and can’t seem to sit still. They might blurt out answers, interrupt others, and have trouble waiting their turn.
  • Combined Presentation: This is the most common type, where a person has a mix of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

ADHD is a lifelong condition, but its symptoms can change over time. Children with ADHD might be very hyperactive, while adults might mainly struggle with restlessness and difficulty focusing on long tasks.

Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder and ADHD

At first glance, the symptoms of anxiety and ADHD can seem quite different. However, when you look closer, you’ll see a lot of overlap.

Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

  • Physical: Pounding heart, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, stomach aches.
  • Emotional: Persistent worry, feeling of dread, irritability, panic.
  • Behavioural: Avoiding situations that cause anxiety, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping.
  • Cognitive: Racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating, feeling like your mind is blank.

ADHD Symptoms

  • Inattention: Trouble focusing, being easily distracted, forgetfulness, losing things, and making careless mistakes.
  • Hyperactivity: Fidgeting, restlessness, constant movement, feeling “on the go.”
  • Impulsivity: Interrupting others, blurting out answers, and making quick decisions without thinking.

Notice the similarities? Both conditions can cause difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and racing thoughts. It’s easy to see how one could be mistaken for the other. A person with ADHD might feel restless and fidgety, which can look a lot like the physical symptoms of anxiety. Similarly, someone with an anxiety disorder might find it hard to focus because their mind is preoccupied with worry, which can appear similar to inattentive symptoms.

How Anxiety and ADHD Overlap

The overlap between anxiety and ADHD isn’t just in the symptoms. It’s also in how the conditions affect a person’s life. Many people with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. In fact, research shows that up to 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder.

But why is this the case? There are a few reasons:

  • The Cycle: Living with unmanaged ADHD can be stressful and may contribute to feelings of anxiety. Constantly missing deadlines, forgetting appointments, and struggling at work or school can lead to feelings of failure and low self-esteem. This ongoing stress and worry can then trigger an anxiety disorder. For example, if you have ADHD and you’re always losing your keys, you might start to feel anxious every time you leave the house, worrying about whether you’ve lost them again.
  • Shared Brain Chemistry: Both ADHD and anxiety disorders are linked to differences in brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemicals are crucial for regulating mood, attention, and motivation. When they’re not working correctly, it can lead to a range of symptoms that are present in both conditions.
  • Hyperfocus vs. Rumination: People with ADHD can sometimes experience hyperfocus, where they become so absorbed in an activity they enjoy that they lose all sense of time. On the other hand, someone with an anxiety disorder can get stuck in a loop of rumination, where they constantly replay worries and negative thoughts in their mind. Both are forms of intense, prolonged concentration, but one is often productive, while the other is draining and unproductive.

Understanding this overlap is key because it means that treating one condition without considering the other might not be enough.

How Are Anxiety Disorders and ADHD Diagnosed?

Diagnosing anxiety and ADHD can be tricky, especially when they occur together. It’s not something a quick online quiz can tell you. A proper diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation by a qualified health professional, like a GP, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist.

The process usually involves:

  • Detailed Interview: The professional will ask about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and how the symptoms are affecting your daily life. They’ll want to know when the symptoms started and in what situations they’re most prominent.
  • Standardised Questionnaires: You might be asked to fill out specific questionnaires designed to measure ADHD and anxiety symptoms.
  • Physical Exam: A doctor might perform a physical exam to rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid problems or heart issues.

It’s crucial to be honest and detailed about your experiences. A good health professional will look at the bigger picture to understand whether your restlessness is due to hyperactivity from ADHD or a symptom of anxiety. This is where it’s helpful to consult a GP at a local medical centre, such as doctor Brunswick or a Pascoe Vale doctors who can provide a referral to a specialist. They will take the time to figure out what’s really going on.

Treatment Options for Anxiety Disorder vs ADHD

Both anxiety and ADHD are treatable, and effective management strategies are available. The treatment approach, however, can be quite different.

Treatment for Anxiety Disorder

  • Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy): Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety. CBT helps you identify and change the negative thought patterns and behaviours that are causing your anxiety.
  • Medication: Antidepressants, like SSRIs, are often prescribed to help manage anxiety symptoms. These medications work by balancing brain chemicals.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and mindfulness or meditation can also be very helpful in managing anxiety.

Treatment for ADHD

  • Medication: Stimulant medications are the most common and effective treatment for ADHD. They work by increasing the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve focus and reduce impulsivity.
  • Behavioural Therapy: This type of therapy helps you develop skills and strategies to manage your symptoms. This can include things like time management techniques, organisational skills, and setting up routines.
  • Coaching: An ADHD coach can help you set goals and create a plan to improve your daily functioning.

When a person has both conditions, a doctor will often treat the one that is causing the most distress first. For example, if a person’s anxiety is severe and making it impossible to function, a doctor might focus on managing the anxiety first before addressing the ADHD.

Coping Strategies for Both Conditions

Even with professional treatment, having a good set of coping strategies can provide additional support alongside professional treatment.

  • Mindfulness and Meditation: Practising mindfulness can help you stay present and reduce the impact of racing thoughts, whether they’re from anxiety or ADHD. There are many great apps and online resources to get you started.
  • Exercise: Physical activity is a powerful tool. It can help burn off excess energy and restlessness from ADHD and can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety.
  • Structure and Routine: Creating a consistent daily routine can be incredibly helpful for both conditions. It reduces the number of decisions you have to make and helps you stay on track, which can ease anxiety and improve focus.
  • Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you untangle racing thoughts and identify patterns in your anxiety or ADHD symptoms.
  • Sleep Hygiene: Both conditions can mess with your sleep. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine and making sure your bedroom is a calming space can help you get the rest you need.

Managing Anxiety and ADHD Together

If you have both anxiety and ADHD, managing them together can feel like a juggling act. Here are a few tips:

  • Communicate with Your Doctor: Be open and honest with your healthcare provider about all your symptoms. Let them know what’s working and what isn’t. You might need to adjust your medications or try a different type of therapy.
  • Prioritise Self-Care: Make sure you are taking care of your basic needs. A well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep are the foundation for managing any mental health condition.
  • Build a Support System: Talk to friends, family, or join a support group. Connecting with others who share similar experiences can provide valuable support.
  • Break Down Tasks: Instead of looking at a huge to-do list that feels overwhelming (anxiety) or impossible to start (ADHD), break tasks down into small, manageable steps. Celebrate each small win.

A local medical centre Brunswick may provide access to resources such as psychologists and support groups.

Conclusion

While anxiety disorder and ADHD are two distinct conditions, they share a number of overlapping symptoms and can often co-exist. The key is to remember that neither is a sign of weakness or a personality flaw. They are both medical conditions that are treatable with the right support.

Getting a proper diagnosis is the first and most important step. A professional can help you understand what’s really going on and create a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs. By understanding the differences and similarities, you can better understand your needs and work towards strategies that support your overall well-being.

Struggling with Symptoms of Anxiety or ADHD?

If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of anxiety or ADHD, please reach out for help. Start by booking an appointment with your GP. A good doctor Brunswick, or a medical centre Brunswick, like Lotus Medical Centre can provide an initial assessment and refer you to a specialist who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. 

Support is available, and a healthcare professional can guide you through the next steps.

FAQs

Q: Can a person have both anxiety and ADHD? 

A: Yes, it’s very common for people to have both conditions. They can be diagnosed and treated simultaneously.

Q: How is anxiety different from the “restlessness” of ADHD? 

A: The restlessness in ADHD is often a physical need to move, fidget, or be “on the go.” The restlessness in anxiety is usually a result of feeling tense, worried, and unable to relax.

Q: Can treating ADHD help with anxiety? 

A: For some people, yes. When ADHD symptoms are managed, the stress and frustration of living with the condition can decrease, which in turn can reduce anxiety.

Q: What should I do if I think I have one or both of these conditions? 

A: The best thing to do is to talk to a healthcare professional. Book an appointment with a trusted doctor in Brunswick or a Pascoe Vale doctors’ medical centre to discuss your symptoms and get a referral to a specialist for an official diagnosis.

 

Source: Anxiety Disorder vs ADHD: Key Differences and Similarities

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