4 Overlapping Symptoms of ADHD and Anxiety
Diagnosing mental health issues can be challenging, especially when symptoms overlap, as in the case of ADHD and anxiety. Read on to learn more about the shared signs to watch for.
Getting the correct mental health diagnosis isn’t always easy due to the subjective nature of symptoms, lack of objective tests, and overlapping complaints. Differentiating between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety is one example.
At Lewis Family Psychiatry, our expert psychiatric nurse practitioners provide comprehensive care, ranging from assessments and diagnoses to creating personalized treatment plans for a wide variety of mental, emotional, and behavioral health conditions.
Whether your challenge is depression, anxiety, ADHD, or something else, we help patients of all ages throughout the state of Florida achieve the best possible outcome using our convenient online telemedicine platform.
Mental health
Mental health conditions impact the way a person thinks and behaves. Depending on your diagnosis, effects can range from a change in mood to challenges in succeeding at school, work, and life in general.
Almost half of all people will experience a mental health condition at some point during their lives, while a little more than a quarter will have two diagnoses. With over 200 types of mental health disorders, making the proper diagnosis can be tricky, especially when symptoms overlap.
ADHD and anxiety
ADHD and anxiety are two frequently diagnosed mental health conditions, with the former affecting more than 15 million adults and 7 million children in the United States and the latter striking 40 million adults and almost 6 million children.
ADHD often includes trouble completing tasks, fidgeting, and more, while anxiety involves feelings of nervousness and fear.
Overlapping symptoms
While each condition has symptoms particular to the disorder, they also have several in common, making diagnosis difficult. These include:
Difficulty concentrating
Those with ADHD often struggle to stay focused and complete tasks they find boring, while people with anxiety may have trouble concentrating or feel like their minds go blank. Both cases can lead to school or work struggles.
Restlessness
People with ADHD may feel restless, as if they need to keep moving and doing things. Anxiety can cause individuals to feel constantly on edge and unable to relax.
Trouble sleeping
Both conditions can disrupt sleep patterns, including trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
Emotional control
ADHD can make handling emotions more challenging, and feelings of boredom and frustration are common. Those with anxiety may struggle with persistent worrying that’s out of proportion to the issue, nervousness, and irritability.
Determining the proper mental health diagnosis is crucial to getting the right treatment and beginning your path toward a more successful life.
