Is It ADHD or Anxiety, or Both?
Difficulty concentrating, restlessness, racing thoughts, procrastination, and sleep problems can all be signs of ADHD, anxiety, or both. Because these conditions share many overlapping symptoms, it can be difficult to know what is driving the challenges you’re experiencing.
Understanding the Difference
Although ADHD and anxiety can sometimes look similar, they are fundamentally different conditions.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, impulse control, emotional regulation, and executive functioning skills such as planning, organisation, and time management. Symptoms typically begin in childhood, although some people may not receive a diagnosis until later in life.
Anxiety, on the other hand, is the mind and body’s response to perceived threat, uncertainty, or danger. Anxiety disorders involve excessive and persistent worry that can interfere with daily life, relationships, work, or school.
Why Are ADHD and Anxiety Often Confused?
Both ADHD and anxiety can cause difficulties with concentration, restlessness, irritability, sleep, and feelings of overwhelm.
For example, a child who appears distracted in class may be struggling to sustain attention due to ADHD, or they may be preoccupied with worries about getting something wrong. Likewise, an adult who procrastinates may be avoiding a task because they find it difficult to organise themselves, or because they are anxious about making a mistake.
The behaviour may look similar, but the reason behind it can be very different.
ADHD vs Anxiety: What Are the Clues?
People with ADHD often struggle with attention even when they feel calm. They may be easily distracted, forgetful, disorganised, or find it difficult to prioritise and complete tasks. Impulsivity, fidgeting, and emotional regulation difficulties are also common.
People with anxiety tend to experience difficulty concentrating because their attention is occupied by worry. They may find themselves constantly thinking about what could go wrong, feeling tense or on edge, seeking reassurance, or avoiding situations that make them anxious. Physical symptoms such as muscle tension, headaches, nausea, a racing heart, or difficulty relaxing are also common.
Can You Have Both?
Yes. In fact, ADHD and anxiety commonly occur together.
For some people, the ongoing challenges associated with ADHD, such as forgetting things, missing deadlines, struggling academically, or finding relationships difficult, can contribute to stress and anxiety over time.
At the same time, anxiety can make ADHD symptoms feel worse by making it harder to concentrate, organise tasks, make decisions, and manage everyday responsibilities.
Why Assessment Matters
Because ADHD and anxiety overlap in many ways, it is important not to rely on symptoms alone.
A comprehensive assessment looks at your developmental history, current symptoms, daily functioning, and the underlying reasons those symptoms are occurring. The goal is to understand whether difficulties are related to ADHD, anxiety, both conditions, or something else entirely.
了解更多ADHD Assessments for Children: What Actually Happens, Step by Step?
If you’re wondering whether your child may have ADHD, it’s natural to have questions about what the assessment process involves. Many parents are unsure what happens during an ADHD assessment, who is involved, or what information is needed to reach a diagnosis.
An ADHD assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to determine whether a child meets the criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by persistent difficulties with attention, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity that impact everyday functioning. The assessment process aims not only to identify ADHD, but also to understand how your child is functioning across different environments and whether other factors may be contributing to their difficulties.
Step 1: Speak With Your GP
For many families, the process begins with a visit to their GP. During this appointment, you can discuss any concerns you have about your child’s attention, behaviour, organisation, activity levels, or academic functioning.
Your GP may explore possible medical explanations for the concerns and, where appropriate, provide a referral for a more comprehensive assessment. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve a psychologist, paediatrician, or psychiatrist experienced in ADHD assessments.
Step 2: Comprehensive Assessment and Information Gathering
An ADHD assessment involves gathering information from multiple sources to build a thorough understanding of your child’s development and current functioning.
The process typically includes detailed discussions with parents, caregivers, and the child about developmental history, family history, medical background, learning experiences, and current concerns. Clinicians will often ask about when symptoms began, how frequently they occur, and how they affect your child’s daily life at home, school, and in social settings.
Questionnaires and rating scales are also commonly used. Parents and teachers may be asked to complete standardised assessments that provide information about a child’s attention, behaviour, and executive functioning across different environments. Gathering information from both home and school is an important part of understanding whether difficulties are occurring consistently in multiple settings.
Depending on the child’s presentation, additional assessment measures may also be used to explore areas such as attention, memory, executive functioning, or learning. Clinicians will also consider whether other factors may be contributing to the concerns, including anxiety, learning difficulties, sleep issues, or other developmental or mental health conditions that can sometimes overlap with ADHD symptoms.
Step 3: Review of Results and Diagnostic Decision-Making
Once all information has been collected, the clinician carefully reviews the findings and compares them with established diagnostic criteria.
Rather than relying on a single questionnaire or appointment, the assessment considers information gathered from interviews, rating scales, developmental history, and any additional assessment data. This allows the clinician to determine whether the child’s difficulties are consistent with ADHD and whether there may be other factors that also require consideration.
Step 4: Feedback and Recommendations
Following the assessment, families receive feedback about the results and recommendations for next steps.
This typically includes a comprehensive written report outlining the assessment findings, any diagnosis that may be appropriate, and practical recommendations to support the child at home and school. Recommendations may include educational strategies, behavioural supports, accommodations, further assessment, or referrals to other professionals where needed.
If medication is being considered, families may also work with a paediatrician or child psychiatrist to discuss treatment options and ongoing management.
The Goal of an ADHD Assessment
An ADHD assessment is about much more than determining whether a child has ADHD. The process helps build a clearer picture of a child’s strengths, challenges, learning profile, and support needs.
For many families, the assessment provides valuable insight into why certain difficulties are occurring and offers practical recommendations to help children thrive both at home and at school.
At Back On Track Psychology, our team provides ADHD assessments for children and works closely with families to make the process as clear, supportive, and informative as possible.
了解更多How Do I Get Assessed for ADHD as an Adult?
Many adults reach a point where they start wondering whether ADHD might explain some of the challenges they’ve experienced throughout their lives. Difficulties with attention, organisation, time management, impulsivity, or feeling constantly overwhelmed are common reasons people start exploring an assessment.
If you’re considering an ADHD assessment, understanding the process can help make the next steps feel clearer.
Step 1: Book an Appointment with Your GP
For many adults in Australia, the first step is speaking with a GP.
During the appointment, your GP may:
- Ask about your symptoms and how they affect your work, study, relationships, or daily life
- Discuss your medical and mental health history
- Consider whether other health conditions may be contributing to your concerns
- Ask you to complete an ADHD screening questionnaire
- Provide a referral to a psychologist and/or psychiatrist for further assessment
If you would like to explore medication as part of your treatment options, a psychiatrist is generally required.
Step 2: Attend an ADHD Assessment
An ADHD assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that looks at whether ADHD may be contributing to the difficulties you are experiencing.
The assessment process is designed to build a clear picture of your symptoms, experiences, and functioning across different areas of life.
Depending on the clinician and assessment service, the process may include:
- A detailed clinical interview
- Questions about your childhood and developmental history
- Discussion of current symptoms and their impact on daily life
- Review of family, medical, and mental health history
- Standardised questionnaires and rating scales
- Information from partners, family members, or other relevant supports where appropriate
The aim is not only to assess for ADHD, but also to consider other factors that may contribute to similar symptoms.
Why Does the Assessment Look at Childhood?
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, which means symptoms typically begin during childhood.
As part of the assessment, you may be asked about:
- School experiences
- Childhood behaviour
- Academic challenges
- Family observations
- Previous reports or assessments
Many adults are surprised by how much attention is given to their earlier years. This information helps clinicians understand whether ADHD symptoms have been present across the lifespan.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Once all information has been gathered, the clinician reviews the results to determine whether the symptoms are consistent with ADHD. If ADHD is diagnosed, recommendations may be provided regarding treatment, supports, workplace or study accommodations, and other strategies that may be helpful.
Many adults seek an assessment after years of wondering why certain aspects of life seem more difficult than they appear to be for others. For some, the process provides answers they have been searching for for a long time.
If you’re considering an ADHD assessment, our team can help you understand the process and determine the most appropriate next steps.
了解更多