Racing thoughts, restlessness, trouble concentrating: is it ADHD, anxiety, or both? Here’s how to untangle the overlap.

Written by Dr Jaspreet Saini, Principal GP at Rosedale Medical Practice and founder of My ADHD GP.

Two conditions, one confusing experience

If you’ve ever Googled your symptoms and ended up more confused, welcome to the ADHD-anxiety overlap. These two conditions share so many surface-level symptoms that even clinicians can struggle to tell them apart. And to make things more complicated, about 50% of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder.

Where ADHD and anxiety overlap

Both conditions can cause:

Difficulty concentrating: ADHD because your brain seeks stimulation; anxiety because your brain is stuck on worry
Restlessness: ADHD-driven hyperactivity vs anxiety-driven nervous energy
Sleep problems: racing thoughts at bedtime from either cause
Procrastination: ADHD from executive dysfunction; anxiety from fear of failure
Irritability: overstimulation (ADHD) vs overwhelm (anxiety)

How to tell them apart

The key difference is often why the symptom occurs:

Can’t focus: ADHD = bored or under-stimulated. Anxiety = consumed by worry.
Avoids tasks: ADHD = can’t start (executive dysfunction). Anxiety = afraid of doing it wrong.
Forgets things: ADHD = inattention. Anxiety = preoccupied with other worries.
Talks fast: ADHD = impulsivity, excitement. Anxiety = nervousness, urgency.
Poor sleep: ADHD = brain won’t switch off (seeking stimulation). Anxiety = brain won’t switch off (seeking safety).

For more on the sleep dimension specifically, read our piece on ADHD and sleep.

When ADHD causes anxiety

For many people, anxiety is a consequence of untreated ADHD, not a separate condition. Years of:

Forgetting important things and facing consequences
Underperforming despite high effort
Social missteps from impulsivity
Being told you’re lazy, careless, or not living up to your potential

…create a state of chronic anxiety. You’re not anxious by nature. You’re anxious because your ADHD has made the world feel unpredictable and punishing.

In these cases, treating the ADHD often significantly reduces the anxiety.

When both conditions are present

Some people genuinely have both ADHD and a primary anxiety disorder (like generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or panic disorder). In these cases:

Medication choices matter: stimulants can sometimes worsen anxiety, so careful dose titration is essential
Order of treatment: your clinician may choose to address the more impairing condition first
Therapy can help: CBT adapted for ADHD-anxiety can be particularly effective
Regular monitoring: your GP should track both conditions and adjust treatment as needed

What this means for your care

If you suspect you have ADHD, anxiety, or both:

Get a thorough assessment. A good diagnostic assessment will explore both possibilities and look at your history to understand which came first and how they interact.
Be honest about your symptoms. Don’t minimise either set of symptoms. The more your clinician understands, the better they can tailor treatment.
Find a GP who gets it. Managing co-existing ADHD and anxiety requires a GP who understands both conditions and can adjust your medication based on real-world feedback, not just a checklist.

The bottom line

ADHD and anxiety are not an either/or diagnosis. Understanding how they interact is the key to effective treatment. With the right support, both conditions are manageable, and life gets easier.

Need a GP who understands the ADHD–anxiety overlap?

At My ADHD GP, we provide structured GP-led continuation prescribing for adults across NSW, with experience managing co-existing anxiety. Book a continuation review →

See our pricing page for current consultation fees.

This article is general health information and does not constitute personal medical advice.