ADHD vs Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference

Summary

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders can both affect concentration, daily routines and the ability to manage responsibilities. Because some symptoms overlap, it can be difficult to tell them apart based on everyday experiences alone.

One important distinction is that ADHD involves persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, while anxiety disorders involve excessive fear, worry or related symptoms, depending on the specific disorder. The conditions can also occur together. A comprehensive assessment can help clarify what's contributing to your symptoms and what support may be appropriate.

You sit down to finish an important task, but your attention keeps drifting. You reread the same paragraph, check your phone or move on to something else. At the same time, you're worried about missing a deadline, making a mistake or falling behind.

Experiences like these can leave you wondering: Is it ADHD, anxiety or something else?

The answer isn't always straightforward. ADHD can affect attention and organization, while anxiety can make it difficult to concentrate when your mind is occupied by worry. Both can affect everyday functioning, and having one does not automatically rule out the other.

Understanding the differences can help you identify what you've been experiencing and decide whether to speak with a qualified healthcare practitioner.

What is the difference between ADHD and anxiety?

ADHD and anxiety are different conditions, although they can share some symptoms.

What is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. These symptoms can affect areas such as organization, time management, following through on tasks and controlling impulses.

ADHD symptoms begin during childhood, even if the condition isn't recognized or diagnosed until adulthood. An assessment considers developmental history, current symptoms and how they affect daily functioning.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a response that can involve worry, apprehension, fear and physical symptoms. Anxiety itself is a normal human experience, but an anxiety disorder involves symptoms that are excessive or persistent and cause significant distress or interfere with daily functioning.

The symptoms depend on the type of anxiety disorder. They may include persistent worry, feeling on edge, restlessness or physical symptoms associated with anxiety.

Can you have ADHD and anxiety at the same time?

Yes. ADHD and anxiety disorders can occur together, which can make it harder to identify what's contributing to a particular difficulty.

For example, someone with ADHD may struggle to keep track of deadlines. Repeatedly falling behind or worrying about unfinished tasks may contribute to anxiety. Alternatively, someone experiencing anxiety may have difficulty concentrating because their attention is occupied by persistent worries.

These are possible experiences, not a way to determine which condition someone has. A practitioner can assess the symptoms, their history and their impact on daily life.

ADHD vs anxiety: What symptoms can help you tell the difference?

Some symptoms can occur in both conditions. Looking at the broader pattern, including what you experience, when it happens and how long it has been present, can provide useful context.

The following comparisons can help explain how similar experiences may arise for different reasons. They are general examples, not a way to diagnose either condition.

When your mind won't stay on track

With ADHD, difficulty directing and sustaining attention may persist even when you're calm or interested in what you're doing. You might find yourself moving between tasks, losing track of instructions or struggling to organize your thoughts.

With anxiety, concentration difficulties may be more closely connected to worry. Your attention might keep returning to a possible problem, a conversation you're replaying or something you're afraid could happen.

The distinction to explore: Does your attention regularly wander across different situations, or is it often pulled away by worries and fears? Both patterns can occur together, so this question alone cannot establish the cause.

When getting things done feels difficult

Imagine you have an important assignment to complete, but you keep putting it off.

With ADHD, getting started or following through may be difficult because of challenges with planning, prioritizing, organizing steps or sustaining attention.

With anxiety, you might delay the same assignment because you're worried about making a mistake, receiving criticism or not meeting expectations.

From the outside, both situations can look like procrastination. But the reasons behind the delay may be different, and sometimes more than one factor is involved.

The distinction to explore: Are you struggling to organize and follow through, feeling held back by worry, or experiencing both?

When you feel restless or unable to switch off

Restlessness can occur with both ADHD and anxiety, but it may be experienced differently.

With ADHD, hyperactivity can involve fidgeting, difficulty remaining still or feeling driven to keep moving. In adults, it may be less visible than constant physical activity.

With anxiety, restlessness may accompany feeling tense, apprehensive or on edge. You might find it difficult to relax because you're anticipating a problem or caught up in persistent worry.

The distinction to explore: Is the restlessness part of a longstanding pattern of activity and difficulty regulating attention, or does it tend to accompany feelings of fear, tension or worry? A practitioner would consider the wider pattern rather than this symptom alone.

When you keep forgetting things

Forgetting an appointment, losing track of a conversation or missing a detail doesn't automatically point to ADHD or anxiety.

With ADHD, forgetfulness may be part of persistent difficulties with attention, organization and keeping track of responsibilities.

With anxiety, worry or distress may interfere with concentration, making it harder to take in information in the first place. What appears to be forgetfulness may therefore have a different explanation.

The distinction to explore: Consider how often it happens, when it started, the situations in which it occurs and whether other symptoms accompany it. A single example cannot reliably distinguish between the two conditions.

When your reactions feel difficult to control

ADHD can involve impulsivity, such as interrupting, responding before someone has finished speaking or acting before fully considering the consequences.

Anxiety may influence behaviour in other ways. For example, worry or fear can shape decisions, particularly when someone is trying to avoid a situation they find distressing. These responses are not the same as the core impulsivity symptoms associated with ADHD, although experiences can overlap.

The distinction to explore: Look at the circumstances surrounding the behaviour. Is it part of a broader pattern of impulsivity, a response to fear or worry, or something else? A practitioner can help assess the context.

Why the differences aren't always clear

These comparisons can help you reflect on your experiences, but they aren't definitive rules. ADHD and anxiety can occur together, and difficulties with concentration, restlessness or completing tasks may have other explanations.

A practitioner will consider your symptom history, when the difficulties began, how they affect daily functioning and whether another condition may be contributing. The aim is to understand the full picture rather than draw conclusions from a single symptom.

How does the history of your symptoms help distinguish ADHD from anxiety?

One of the most useful parts of an assessment is understanding when the symptoms began and how they've changed over time.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, so an assessment looks for evidence of symptoms during childhood, even if no diagnosis was made at the time. A practitioner may ask about school experiences, early difficulties with attention or organization, and patterns across different settings.

Anxiety disorders are assessed by considering the nature of the worry or fear, associated symptoms, duration and impact on daily functioning. A practitioner may also explore whether symptoms emerged or intensified around particular stressors.

These patterns can offer clues, but they are not absolute rules. Someone may have had ADHD symptoms for years and developed anxiety later, or may experience both conditions at the same time. Other health or mental health concerns may also contribute.

How are ADHD and anxiety diagnosed?

ADHD and anxiety can share symptoms, but a practitioner looks at different aspects of your experiences to understand what may be contributing to them. An assessment may explore your current symptoms, personal history, how symptoms affect daily life and whether other mental health or medical factors may be involved. 

During an assessment, a practitioner may explore:

• When your symptoms began. ADHD symptoms must have been present during childhood, even if they weren't recognized at the time. For anxiety, the practitioner may explore when the worries or fears started and how long they have persisted. 
• How symptoms affect everyday life. This may include difficulties at work, at home, in relationships or in other settings.
• What happens when you struggle to focus or complete tasks. The practitioner may explore whether these difficulties fit a longstanding pattern of inattention and disorganization, are associated with worry or fear, or may involve both.
• Whether other factors may be involved. Sleep difficulties, other mental health concerns and certain medical conditions can contribute to symptoms that overlap with ADHD or anxiety. 

Questionnaires may help organize information and identify symptoms that need further exploration, but they do not establish an ADHD diagnosis on their own. 

Because ADHD and anxiety can occur together, the goal is not simply to choose one over the other. A practitioner considers the overall pattern of symptoms and history to determine what further assessment or support may be appropriate.

What if the symptoms overlap?

Tell the practitioner about all the difficulties you're experiencing, even if some seem unrelated. Mentioning both concentration problems and persistent worry, for example, can help them assess the full picture instead of focusing on only one symptom.

The goal is to understand what's contributing to your experiences and identify appropriate next steps, rather than force every symptom into a single explanation.

Exploring ADHD assessment options with Pocketpills

If ongoing difficulties with attention, organization or impulsivity are affecting your everyday life, it may be helpful to discuss your concerns with a healthcare practitioner.

Pocketpills offers online access to healthcare services in Canada. You can explore the available ADHD and anxiety assessment options and discuss your concerns with a licensed Canadian healthcare practitioner to understand whether an assessment may be appropriate.‍

Frequently asked questions

Can ADHD be mistaken for anxiety?

Yes. ADHD and anxiety can share symptoms, including restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Because these experiences can have different causes, a comprehensive assessment is important to understand the pattern and context of the symptoms.

Can you have ADHD and anxiety at the same time?

Yes. The conditions can occur together. A practitioner can assess symptoms of both conditions and consider how they may affect one another.

Does anxiety cause ADHD?

Anxiety does not cause ADHD. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition. However, anxiety can affect concentration and daily functioning, and it can occur alongside ADHD.

How can I tell whether my concentration problems are caused by ADHD or anxiety?

Concentration problems alone cannot determine the cause. A practitioner may explore whether the difficulties reflect a longstanding pattern of inattention, whether they occur alongside persistent worry, when they began and how they affect daily life. Other explanations may also need to be considered.

Can ADHD symptoms get worse when I'm anxious?

Anxiety and ADHD can coexist, and anxiety-related difficulties with concentration or functioning may add to the challenges a person already experiences. If symptoms have changed or become harder to manage, discuss the changes with a practitioner rather than assuming they have a single cause.

Should I get assessed for ADHD or anxiety first?

If you're unsure, start by discussing all your symptoms and concerns with a qualified healthcare practitioner. They can help determine which assessments may be appropriate and whether other conditions should be considered.

Can an online questionnaire tell me whether I have ADHD or anxiety?

Questionnaires may help identify symptoms or indicate whether further assessment is worth considering, but they cannot reliably diagnose ADHD or anxiety or distinguish between them on their own. A clinical assessment is needed to understand your symptoms and possible explanations.