ADHD and Anxiety: Understanding the Link and How to Offer Support

Written By Madeline Light

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, and for many individuals, the two can feel impossible to untangle. In fact, research shows that nearly 50% of people with ADHD also experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.

The Connection Between ADHD and Anxiety

ADHD affects executive functioning—our brain’s ability to plan, focus, manage emotions, and regulate impulses. When these skills are challenged, daily life can feel overwhelming, leading to chronic stress and, eventually, anxiety. For children and adults alike, repeated struggles with forgetfulness, disorganization, or underachievement can foster fear, self-doubt, and constant worry.

Key Signs to Watch For recognizing when ADHD and anxiety are co-occurring is essential for providing the right support. Common signs include:

  • Trouble concentrating and restlessness (beyond typical ADHD patterns)

  • Constant worry or overthinking

  • Avoiding tasks out of fear of failure

  • Irritability or emotional outbursts

  • Physical symptoms like headaches, stomachaches, or sleep issues

How to Support Someone with ADHD and Anxiety

  1. Validate Their Experience - Let them know it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. ADHD and anxiety together can feel like a mental tug-of-war—acknowledging this helps reduce shame and isolation.

  2. Create Structure - Predictable routines, visual schedules, and clear expectations help reduce anxiety and support executive functioning.

  3. Focus on Strengths - People with ADHD often have incredible creativity, intuition, and problem-solving abilities. Highlighting these can build confidence and reduce anxiety-driven self-doubt.

  4. Teach Regulation Skills - Mindfulness, breathing techniques, and sensory strategies can calm the nervous system and help manage emotional overload.

  5. Seek Integrated Support - Therapies like CBT, along with ADHD coaching and, when needed, medication, can address both conditions effectively. The key is a holistic, tailored approach.

ADHD and anxiety can be a tough combination—but with the right support, individuals can learn to thrive. If you or someone you love is navigating both, know that you’re not alone, and healing is absolutely possible.

Need more support? Reach out to book a session or learn about our programs designed to help manage anxiety and improve daily function.

Madeline Light