Do You Have Adult ADHD, Anxiety, or Depression?

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition where people may find it easy to get distracted or it may seem hard to focus. People with ADHD have problems with attention, overly active behavior, or both. But did you know that ADHD symptoms can mimic those of other common mental health conditions, like depression and anxiety? 

Just to make it more complicated, it’s possible to have ADHD and another mental health condition at the same time. In fact, almost 1 in 5 adults with ADHD also have major depression. And almost 1 in 2 adults with ADHD have an anxiety disorder. 

This means that if you’re having trouble with focus and concentration, it’s possible that you could have ADHD, anxiety, depression, or all three — especially if you’re having other symptoms. Knowing how these conditions are similar and how they’re different can help you have a meaningful discussion with a healthcare professional. Let’s take a closer look at how they make a diagnosis and treat these common conditions. 

Why can ADHD be confused with anxiety or depression?

It’s possible to confuse ADHD, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and major depression because they can have some of the same symptoms. Symptoms that all three conditions have in common are: 

• Physical agitation or restlessness

• Difficulty concentrating or focusing

• Irritability

Both major depression and anxiety can cause worry, tension, or restlessness. These symptoms may then lead to distraction, concentration issues, and trouble focusing on details. Decreased ability to concentrate is a possible symptom of a depressive episode as well. Depressed mood and lack of energy can make it hard to follow through with responsibilities. This might lead you to think you have ADHD. 

Symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression

Anxiety vs. ADHD

If you have general anxiety disorder (GAD), worry and distraction can keep you from hearing someone when they speak to you. GAD can also lead to excessive talking if you feel nervous during awkward silences. This can make getting the correct diagnosis difficult.

Given their similarities, it can be hard to tell the difference between anxiety and ADHD. One key thing to know about ADHD is that it starts in childhood. Several symptoms present themselves before the age of 12, even if you don’t get an ADHD diagnosis until later in life.

But anxiety in childhood may also look like ADHD. For example, anxiety symptoms like worry and rumination often cause restlessness in children. 

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Depression vs. ADHD

ADHD and depression can share some of the same symptoms. This overlap can sometimes make it difficult to figure out if a person has depression or ADHD. Some of the symptoms that depression and ADHD share are:

• Inability to focus on tasks

• Relationship difficulties

• Restlessness

• Feeling overwhelmed

There are some symptoms that set depression apart from ADHD. Key differences that mark depression are:

• Thinking about death or suicide often

• Feeling hopeless

• Feeling sad, worthless, or guilty frequently and for long periods of time

• Loss of interest in hobbies and being with others

Remember, depression and ADHD can happen at the same time in a person. A thorough history and review of symptoms with a healthcare professional can help determine a correct diagnosis.

Can ADHD in adults cause anxiety or depression?

Maybe. Up to almost 90% of adults with ADHD also have at least one other mental health condition — especially mood and anxiety disorders. These conditions can occur at the same time. But experts don’t know whether ADHD actually causes anxiety or depression.

In some cases, ADHD could cause symptoms that look like anxiety or depression. For instance, when a project deadline approaches, ADHD can lead to feelings of failure or guilt, or it can cause nervousness and worry. 

How can you make sure adult ADHD, anxiety, and depression are properly diagnosed?

Evaluating symptoms of ADHD — and to determine if you have ADHD, anxiety, or depression — generally occurs in two main stages. The first is an initial assessment. The second stage, if needed, is psychological testing.

1. Initial mental health assessment

A mental health professional conducts an initial assessment in your first few sessions. They may have you complete questionnaires before your appointment. These questionnaires ask you about your different symptoms and experiences.

If you have major depression or an anxiety disorder, a healthcare professional will likely recommend treating those first. This is because reducing depression or anxiety could also reduce inattention and hyperactivity. If your depression or anxiety lowers and you still have problems with ADHD symptoms, the next step is psychological testing. 

2. Psychological testing

A psychologist can test you for ADHD. Licensed psychologists have a doctorate degree and specialized training in testing and evaluation. Testing includes gathering information from you and other people in your life, such as parents, teachers, and friends. You will also complete tests that measure you on things such as attention span and task completion. 

Once they have gathered all this information, the psychologist writes a report. This report will include their diagnosis and treatment recommendations. To locate a psychologist who does testing, ask your current therapist or a healthcare professional for a referral. Or you can search an online database like Psychology Today. Enter your location, and search for mental health professionals who perform psychological testing and evaluation.

Quiz: Could I have ADHD?

How do you treat adult ADHD vs. anxiety or depression?

For ADHD, medication is often the first-choice treatment. At the same time, psychotherapy for ADHD can help you learn new tools like organizational and coping skills. Medication can also help you get the most out of therapy because you will be able to focus better in sessions.  

For major depression and anxiety, a healthcare professional may suggest psychotherapy, medication, or both based on your individual situation.

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Written by:

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP

Mona Bapat, PhD, HSPP, has 15 years of clinical experience providing therapy. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in Indiana and Illinois with treatment experience in individual, couples, family, and group therapy modalities.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Frank Schwalbe, MD

Frank Schwalbe, MD, is an assistant professor of anesthesiology at the Yale School of Medicine. He has practiced anesthesiology for 30 years.

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