Anxiety vs ADHD in Adults How to Tell the Difference
- Scarlet Plus LLC
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Many adults today feel like they are always running behind. You might find it hard to focus on a single task for more than a few minutes. You might feel a constant sense of restlessness or worry about your to do list. For many people, these daily struggles lead to a big question about their mental health. Is this anxiety or is it ADHD?
Both conditions can look very similar on the surface. They both make it hard to concentrate and stay organized. They both cause a sense of being overwhelmed by daily life. However, the reasons behind these feelings are very different. Understanding those reasons is the first step toward finding the right support and improving your quality of life.
Comparing Anxiety and ADHD in Adults
Anxiety and ADHD are two of the most common mental health challenges for adults today. While they share some traits, they come from different places in the brain.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how you manage your time and focus. It often starts in childhood and continues into your adult years. If you have ADHD, your brain might struggle to filter out distractions. You might feel like your mind is always jumping from one idea to the next.
On the other hand, anxiety is often a mood disorder driven by worry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that anxiety disorders involve intense fear or dread. If you have an anxiety disorder, your lack of focus often comes from your mind being stuck on a specific worry. You might be too busy thinking about what could go wrong to finish the task at hand.
What Adult ADHD Looks Like
ADHD in adults often shows up as a struggle with the management systems of the brain. You might find that you are often late for meetings or forget your appointments. You might lose your keys or your phone every single day.
Some people with ADHD feel like they have a motor inside them that never stops. This can make you fidget or feel a need to move around even when you should be resting. You might also struggle to wait your turn in conversations or finish projects that do not interest you. These signs often point to a brain that is looking for more stimulation to stay engaged.
What Adult Anxiety Looks Like
Anxiety often feels like a heavy weight of worry. It can cause physical symptoms that you might not expect. You might feel your heart racing or your muscles tensing up.
If you have an anxiety disorder, you might spend a lot of time overthinking your decisions. You might avoid certain places or people because they make you feel nervous. This avoidance can make it look like you are being lazy or forgetful, but it is actually a response to fear. The Mayo Clinic explains that these feelings can interfere with your daily activities and relationships.
The Big Differences Between These Conditions
The best way to tell the difference is to look at the why behind your behavior. Think about a time when you could not focus on a project.
If you could not focus because you found the work boring and your mind kept drifting to more exciting ideas, that might be ADHD. If you could not focus because you were afraid of doing a bad job or worried about the outcome, that might be anxiety.
ADHD is often about a lack of stimulation or interest. Anxiety is often about too much worry and fear.
Timeline is another factor. ADHD symptoms usually start when you are young. Even if you were not diagnosed as a child, you can probably look back and see the signs in school. Anxiety can start at any time in life and is often triggered by stress or big life changes. You can find more research on these patterns at the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Can You Have Both Anxiety and ADHD?
It is very common for adults to have both conditions. In fact, research from PubMed shows that many people with ADHD also live with an anxiety disorder.
Living with ADHD can be stressful. Forgetting tasks or missing deadlines can lead to a lot of worry. Over time, this stress can turn into a separate anxiety problem. When you have both, it can feel like your mind is always in a state of chaos. This makes it even more important to get a professional evaluation to see what is really going on.
Seeking a Mental Health Evaluation in Frederick Maryland
If you are struggling to manage your daily life, it is important to talk to a professional who can help. A clinical expert can help you figure out if you are dealing with anxiety, ADHD, or both. At Forbs Behavioral Health Services, we provide thorough evaluations to help you understand your symptoms and find a path forward.
Our team is led by Atemnkeng Atanga, a dedicated provider who understands the complex nature of adult mental health. We work with you to create a plan that fits your specific needs and goals.
If you live in Frederick Maryland, you can visit us for in person treatments. We serve the local area and provide a friendly space for your care. We treat many conditions, including depression and ADHD treatment options.
Telehealth Options for Maryland and DC
We know that life is busy and getting to an office is not always easy. That is why we offer telehealth services for mental health evaluations.
If you are located in Maryland or Washington DC, you can meet with us from the comfort of your home. This allows you to get the help you need without the stress of a commute. Our goal is to make mental health care accessible for everyone in our community.
Whether you need help with ADHD or an anxiety disorder treatment, we are here for you. We treat a wide range of conditions, including trauma and personality disorders.
Steps Toward a Calmer Life
Taking the first step is often the hardest part of the journey. You do not have to figure this out on your own. A proper diagnosis is the key to getting the right treatment.
For some people, medication can help. For others, therapy and new coping skills are the answer. Many people benefit from a mix of both. You can find information on approved treatments at the Food and Drug Administration website.
If you want to learn more about how we can help you, visit our website today. We are here to support you in Frederick Maryland and through telehealth across the region. You deserve to feel in control of your life again.
