ADHD or anxiety?
Can't concentrate, can't switch off, can't sleep? That could be anxiety, ADHD, or both. Here's how they overlap and how they differ.
Where they overlap
ADHD and anxiety can both cause:
- difficulty concentrating
- restlessness and feeling on edge
- trouble getting to sleep
- irritability
- avoiding or putting off tasks
So it's easy to see why one can be mistaken for the other.
How they often differ
| Sign | More typical of ADHD | More typical of anxiety |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | Attention drifts, especially when something is boring, but you can lock on to things that interest you | Attention is pulled away by worries |
| Racing mind | Lots of different thoughts, ideas and distractions | The same worries going round and round |
| Putting things off | Hard to get started, even on things you want to do | Avoiding things because of fear of getting it wrong or what might happen |
| When it started | Signs since childhood, even if they weren't noticed | Can start at any age, sometimes after stressful events |
| Pattern | Present most of the time, in most settings | Often worse in particular situations or periods of stress |
These are general patterns, not rules. Plenty of people don't fit neatly into either column.
Many people have both
Anxiety is common in adults with ADHD. Living with unrecognised ADHD can be stressful: missed deadlines, forgotten appointments and always feeling behind can understandably make you anxious. Treating the anxiety alone may help, but if ADHD is also there, some difficulties may remain.
How an assessment tells them apart
A good ADHD assessment doesn't just ask whether you have ADHD symptoms. It also looks at other conditions that can look similar or happen alongside ADHD, as the national guideline (NICE NG87) recommends.
Our assessment includes questionnaires about anxiety and mood as well as ADHD, the QbCheck test of attention and activity, and a clinical interview covering your childhood as well as now. See how it works.
What to do next
- If anxiety is your main worry, your GP can talk you through support, including NHS talking therapies.
- If you think ADHD might be part of the picture, try our free 2-minute self-check, or book a free 15-minute call to talk it through.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. If you're struggling right now, call NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health) or Samaritans on 116 123.
Source: NICE guideline NG87, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management. Last updated October 2026.
Want a clear answer?
A NICE-guided adult ADHD assessment, in Hull or online. £595.