Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat to ExpectAnxiety vs. ADHDTreatmentMedication EffectsNext in ADHD GuideWhat to Know About Body Doubling for ADHD
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What to Expect
Anxiety vs. ADHD
Treatment
Medication Effects
Next in ADHD Guide
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) andanxiety disordersare separate conditions that commonly occur together. For example, up to 50% of adults with ADHD may have an anxiety disorder,and around 25% of adults with ADHD also have generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).Children with ADHD are also more likely to develop an anxiety disorder.
Treatment can help improve ADHD symptoms and thus ease anxious feelings. This article explains the connection between ADHD and anxiety, as well as what you can do to feel less anxious.
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What Is ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?
What to Expect From ADHD and Anxiety
Anxiety is not part of the clinical criteria for ADHD diagnosis, but living with unregulated symptoms of ADHD can be incredibly stressful and anxiety producing. An anxiety disorder can result from living with ADHD.Experts also say anxiety disorder is ADHD’s most common co-occurring (comorbid) disorder.
Anxiety and ADHDPeople who have ADHD and anxiety disorder often experience more severe symptoms of both conditions.Getting an accurate diagnosis can be more complicated. Treatment is also more complicated with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorder.
Anxiety and ADHD
People who have ADHD and anxiety disorder often experience more severe symptoms of both conditions.Getting an accurate diagnosis can be more complicated. Treatment is also more complicated with ADHD and comorbid anxiety disorder.
Anxiety and Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
There are key differences between anxiety and ADHD. There are also similarities. While it can sometimes be challenging to tell the difference when you’re living with both, understanding how to recognize anxiety vs. ADHD can help guide you toward getting to the root cause of your symptoms, and accessing the most effective treatment.
How to Recognize ADHD
How to Manage Sensory Overload in ADHD
How to Recognize Anxiety
Coping With the Everyday Struggles of High-Functioning Anxiety
How to Tell the Difference
Is ADHD a Mental Illness?While we are discussing anxiety and ADHD together, it’s important to note that anxiety is considered a mental health condition or mental illness, and ADHD is not a mental illness. ADHD is aneurodevelopmental disorder that can be explained as a biological and/or genetic difference in brain structureand functioning.
Is ADHD a Mental Illness?
While we are discussing anxiety and ADHD together, it’s important to note that anxiety is considered a mental health condition or mental illness, and ADHD is not a mental illness. ADHD is aneurodevelopmental disorder that can be explained as a biological and/or genetic difference in brain structureand functioning.
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
How to Treat ADHD and Anxiety
The first line of treatment for ADHD includes medication such as stimulants like Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and non-stimulants likeStrattera(atomoxetine) for ADHD.Antianxiety medications likeXanax(alprazolam) andAtivan(lorazepam) are also available to ease symptoms of anxiety.
In addition to medication, your healthcare provider may recommend therapy such ascognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) for an anxiety disorder and support groups for people living with ADHD and anxiety. Therapy can include learning new coping skills, addressing underlying thought patterns contributing to anxiety, and practicing mindfulness.
Can Adderall Help Relieve Anxiety?
Lifestyle Remedies
Lifestyle remedies can also be used to help cope with anxiety. Here are some basic strategies you can try:
Rule of 3 for AnxietySometimes even with our best efforts, anxiety still happens. Coping on the spot can look like practicing the common and informal “rule of 3,” or the 333 method of easing anxiety.To do this anywhere, simply identify:Three things you can seeThree things you can hearThree things you can move or touch (like your limbs or external objects)
Rule of 3 for Anxiety
Sometimes even with our best efforts, anxiety still happens. Coping on the spot can look like practicing the common and informal “rule of 3,” or the 333 method of easing anxiety.To do this anywhere, simply identify:Three things you can seeThree things you can hearThree things you can move or touch (like your limbs or external objects)
Sometimes even with our best efforts, anxiety still happens. Coping on the spot can look like practicing the common and informal “rule of 3,” or the 333 method of easing anxiety.To do this anywhere, simply identify:
The 8 Best Online Therapy Services for Anxiety
Effects of ADHD Medication on Your Anxiety
It’s best to consult with your healthcare provider about all symptoms so they can help determine the most effective method of treatment.
ADHD Medications and Side Effects
Summary
ADHD and anxiety often occur together. Living with ADHD can be anxiety producing, and anxiety disorders are common co-occurring disorders with ADHD. Knowing the difference can help determine whether you’re experiencing anxiety from ADHD or independently of ADHD.
Diagnosis and treatment can be more complicated with comorbid conditions. Still, treatment with medication and therapy and lifestyle remedies can help ease symptoms.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, Biederman J, Connors CK, Demler O, Faraone SV, Greenhill LL, Howes MJ, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters EE, Zasavsky AM.The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.The American Journal of Psychiatry.2006;163(4):716–723. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716Katzam MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Angelo F, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry.2017;17:302. doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Adult ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder).ADDitude Magazine.ADHD and anxiety: Symptoms, connections & coping mechanisms.Attention Deficit Disorder Association.Understanding ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.University of Michigan.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) basic group for anxiety.National Institute of Health.Emotional wellness toolkit.Panic and Anxiety Community Support.The 333 rule for managing anxiety. panic and anxiety community support.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, Biederman J, Connors CK, Demler O, Faraone SV, Greenhill LL, Howes MJ, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters EE, Zasavsky AM.The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.The American Journal of Psychiatry.2006;163(4):716–723. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716Katzam MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Angelo F, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry.2017;17:302. doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Adult ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder).ADDitude Magazine.ADHD and anxiety: Symptoms, connections & coping mechanisms.Attention Deficit Disorder Association.Understanding ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.University of Michigan.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) basic group for anxiety.National Institute of Health.Emotional wellness toolkit.Panic and Anxiety Community Support.The 333 rule for managing anxiety. panic and anxiety community support.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, Biederman J, Connors CK, Demler O, Faraone SV, Greenhill LL, Howes MJ, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters EE, Zasavsky AM.The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.The American Journal of Psychiatry.2006;163(4):716–723. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716Katzam MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Angelo F, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry.2017;17:302. doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Adult ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder).ADDitude Magazine.ADHD and anxiety: Symptoms, connections & coping mechanisms.Attention Deficit Disorder Association.Understanding ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.University of Michigan.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) basic group for anxiety.National Institute of Health.Emotional wellness toolkit.Panic and Anxiety Community Support.The 333 rule for managing anxiety. panic and anxiety community support.
Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, Biederman J, Connors CK, Demler O, Faraone SV, Greenhill LL, Howes MJ, Secnik K, Spencer T, Ustun TB, Walters EE, Zasavsky AM.The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication.The American Journal of Psychiatry.2006;163(4):716–723. doi:10.1176/ajp.2006.163.4.716
Katzam MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Angelo F, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry.2017;17:302. doi.org/10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Other concerns and conditions with ADHD.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.Adult ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactive disorder).
ADDitude Magazine.ADHD and anxiety: Symptoms, connections & coping mechanisms.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association.Understanding ADHD.
National Institute of Mental Health.Anxiety disorders.
University of Michigan.Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) basic group for anxiety.
National Institute of Health.Emotional wellness toolkit.
Panic and Anxiety Community Support.The 333 rule for managing anxiety. panic and anxiety community support.
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