Is It ADHD, or Just Anxiety / Overwhelm?

If your life feels constantly overwhelmed, you are not alone. For many adults, the core symptoms of undiagnosed ADHD, namely, chronic disorganisation, restlessness, and difficulty starting tasks, look, feel, and sound exactly like severe anxiety. This overlap is why so many people are either misdiagnosed or struggle for years without the correct path forward. Understanding the fundamental difference between anxiety caused by ADHD and anxiety as a separate condition is the critical first step to getting the right support.

The Root Cause: Why They Look Identical

Anxiety is an emotional response, whereas ADHD is a neurological difference in the brain's Executive Functions. They become entangled because ADHD creates situations that constantly trigger anxiety.

The Symptom	The Anxiety Explanation	The ADHD Explanation
Chronic Worry	Fear of hypothetical negative events, a general nervousness about life.	Fear of actual negative consequences from past performance (e.g., forgetting a deadline, missing an email, disappointing a partner).
Restlessness	Physical tension or agitation driven by a fear response.	Internal or external need for constant stimulation due to under-arousal in the brain.
Procrastination	Avoiding a task because of fear of failure or inadequacy.	Avoiding a task because of an inability to activate the Executive Function required to start, leading to shame and then anxiety.

In short: For many, the anxiety is the exhausting byproduct of an ADHD nervous system constantly struggling to meet neurotypical demands.

How to Differentiate the Driver

To determine the primary issue, look for the direction of the symptom. Which comes first, the inability to act or the worry?

1. The Starting Line Test

• If it's primarily Anxiety: When you finally start the task, your anxiety often decreases because you are actively addressing the source of the worry.

• If it's primarily ADHD: You struggle immensely to start, and even when you do, your mind is instantly distracted or overwhelmed by the complexity, causing the anxiety to surge again while working. The struggle is with action and focus, not just worry.

2. The Focus Test

• Anxiety-Driven Focus: You focus intensely, but only on the negative thoughts, worries, and what-ifs. Your attention is hijacked by internal fear.

• ADHD-Driven Focus: Your attention is driven by novelty and interest. If the task is engaging (hyperfocus), you have no anxiety. If the task is dull, you cannot sustain focus regardless of how worried you are about the consequence.

Your Path to Informed Action

Understanding whether anxiety, ADHD, or both are playing a role can guide more effective support. Treating anxiety alone may not address task initiation and planning difficulties; likewise, addressing executive function without supporting anxiety can leave distress unresolved. Many people benefit from a combined approach, skills for focus and organisation, alongside strategies for anxiety management. 

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional clinical advice. If you recognise these patterns in yourself or someone you care about, consider speaking with a qualified clinician.