ADHD and Anxiety Share Symptoms in 20 to 50 Percent of Cases

An estimated 20 to 30 percent of individuals with ADHD also live with anxiety, with some studies placing the figure as high as 50 percent. Daniela McCann, director of the Australian Association of Psychologists, said she has observed an increase in patients presenting with both conditions.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder present from birth, while anxiety typically develops later. Associate Professor John Kasinathan from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists said ADHD signs often become noticeable when school demands increase, and anxiety can arise from ongoing struggles with attention.

McCann noted that anxiety symptoms such as excessive worry can worsen ADHD-related inattention and disorganization. She added that some women diagnosed with ADHD in their 40s had previously been told their inattention was caused by anxiety. Kasinathan said anxiety can also be mistaken for ADHD, and a comprehensive psychiatric assessment is required to distinguish the two.

He stated that telephone-only consultations are not supported by the RANZCP because clinical signs may be missed.

Common signs of anxiety include excessive worry, fear, heart palpitations, sweating, and avoidance of situations. McCann, who was diagnosed with ADHD in her 40s, said these differ from typical ADHD patterns such as delaying tasks to watch videos. Melissa Webster, chief executive of ADHD Australia, described developing anxiety after a relationship breakdown and experiencing panic attacks and chest tightness distinct from her usual ADHD symptoms.

She said running outdoors helps regulate both conditions. Kasinathan warned that prescribing stimulant medication without first addressing anxiety or depression can worsen those disorders or trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. He said treating anxiety or depression first may reduce apparent inattention without separate ADHD treatment.