ADHD vs Anxiety: How to Tell the Difference and Why the Diagnosis Matters
- tefstaines28
- Jan 7
- 4 min read
If your mind feels busy and crowded, you are not alone. Many people in New Smyrna Beach, South Daytona, and Deland are first diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder because they feel restless, overwhelmed, and can't stop thinking.
But what if the "anxiety" you’ve been dealing with is actually a sign of undiagnosed ADHD?
At BFF Clinic, one of the main things we help with is telling the difference between ADHD and anxiety. It's important to get the right diagnosis because it helps us find the best ways to help your brain work better.
Why ADHD and Anxiety Get Mixed Up
ADHD and anxiety have many similar symptoms, which is why they are so easy to confuse. Both can make you feel restless, easily distracted, and constantly overwhelmed.
Shared Symptoms Include:
Concentration Issues: Both can make you feel mentally cloudy.
Restlessness: Feeling fidgety, unable to sit still, or having trouble relaxing
Sleep Problems: When your mind keeps racing, and you can't fall asleep at 2:00 AM.
Social Fatigue: Feeling tired after spending time with others.
The Real Difference: What Is Driving the Symptoms?
Think of ADHD and Anxiety as two different engines that can create the same noise.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit)
Why can't I focus? – My brain is looking for something new or exciting.
Why am I restless? – I have too much energy and feel like I always have to be moving.
Why did I forget? – I didn't really pay attention, so I didn't remember it.
Social Stress – Too much noise, movement, or talking makes me feel overwhelmed.
Anxiety (Worry/Fear)
Why can't I focus? – My brain is hijacked by "what-if" thoughts or fear.
Why am I restless? – I feel nervous and keep looking out for things that might go wrong.
Why did I forget? – I was too worried to pay attention.
Social Stress – Fear of being judged or criticized by others.
The "ADHD Iceberg" and Secondary Anxiety
Many people in Volusia County have both ADHD and Anxiety at the same time. Often, the anxiety shows up because the ADHD was not recognized or understood.
If people have called you “lazy,” “careless,” “scattered,” or “too much” for a long time, your brain starts to worry about failing, being rejected, or being criticized. This worry becomes Secondary Anxiety. You are not just “an anxious person.” You feel anxious because you are afraid your ADHD will cause you to fail again.
Why the Right Diagnosis Really Matters
Misdiagnosing ADHD as "just anxiety" can lead to years of failed treatments.
1. Medication Risks
Stimulants are the main treatment for ADHD, but if someone only has anxiety, these medicines can sometimes make them feel more jittery and make their thoughts race. On the other hand, if only anxiety is treated, the symptoms of ADHD may continue, making it hard for the person to move forward.
2. The Brain's "Brakes"
With ADHD, the Prefrontal Cortex (the part that helps you control your actions) doesn't work properly. With Anxiety, the Amygdala (the part that warns you about danger) works too much. Treatment should focus on the part of the brain that needs help.
How We Provide Clarity at BFF Clinic
At BFF Clinic, we don’t just guess. Visit us in Deland or New Smyrna Beach, and we will help you tell the difference between ADHD and anxiety:
1. Comprehensive Evaluations: We review your history from childhood to the present day.
2. Dual-Path Treatment: If you have both conditions, we treat them at the same time. We make sure your ADHD medicine doesn't make your anxiety worse, and your anxiety treatment doesn't affect your ADHD.
3. Medication Management: We help you find the medicine and dosage that works best for your brain.
When to See a Doctor
It is time to seek professional neuropsychiatric help if:
Treatment Fatigue: You are taking medicine for anxiety, but you still feel distracted or can't finish tasks.
Lifelong History: Trouble focusing or getting lost in daydreams often happens long before you realize it's a problem.
Impaired Quality of Life: Your inability to focus or your constant worry is affecting your marriage, your career in South Daytona, or your performance at school in Deland.
Physical Symptoms: You have "ADHD Rage" or sudden, strong emotional reactions that are not like a normal panic attack.
At BFF Clinic, we specialize in untangling these complex symptoms for residents across New Smyrna Beach, South Daytona, and Deland. By focusing on the unique way your brain is wired, we can help you find the balance you’ve been searching for. Contact us and schedule your evaluation today to start your journey toward clarity.
Conclusion
Understanding whether you are dealing with ADHD vs Anxiety (or both) is the first step toward a quieter, more productive mind. You don't have to spend your life "masking" your symptoms or feeling like you’re failing at simple tasks.
FAQs
1. Can stimulants for ADHD make my anxiety worse?
It depends. If your anxiety is caused by your ADHD (Secondary Anxiety), stimulants often help you feel calmer because you feel more in control. However, if you have an independent anxiety disorder, we may need to balance stimulants with other medications.
2. Is it possible to have both ADHD and Anxiety at the same time?
Yes. This is called comorbidity. About half of adults with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder. At BFF Clinic, we treat both conditions together.
3. Does ADHD look different in adults than in children?
Yes, often it does. Children with ADHD might be very active and move around a lot, while adults usually feel restless inside, with their thoughts always racing. This is sometimes mistaken for anxiety.
4. How is ADHD vs Anxiety diagnosed?
We diagnose ADHD and Anxiety by talking with you, reviewing your symptoms, and using special psychiatric tests to find out which symptoms are primary and which are secondary.
5. Do I need to go to different doctors for each condition?
No. Our team in Volusia County is trained in Medication Management and neuropsychiatry, so we can treat mood, focus, and trauma issues all in one place.