Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Anxious ADD?SymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

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Table of Contents

What Is Anxious ADD?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

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While not a clinical diagnosis, “anxious ADD” refers to someone who meets criteria for the neurodevelopmental disorder ADHD and experiences clinically significant symptoms of anxiety. Symptoms typically interfere with their functioning in multiple areas.

ADD

Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD) is a term previously used for what would now be diagnosed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): Predominantly Inattentive Presentation.

ADHD: predominantly inattentive presentationis a neurodevelopmental diagnosis that manifests as problems with attention, including:

Anxiety

Clinically,anxietyis nervousness, worry, or fear that is in excess of what is appropriate or expected for the situation. Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety sometimes, and anxious feelings can alert you to danger when you are unsafe.

When someone experiences excessive anxiety that causes distress or interferes with their functioning, they might meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder.This can manifest asgeneralized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder,panic disorder, or specificphobias.

The Link Between ADD and AnxietyAlthough anxious ADD is not a clinical diagnosis, many people with ADHD also experience anxiety,and the presence of both together impacts symptoms and appropriate treatment recommendations.

Although anxious ADD is not a clinical diagnosis, many people with ADHD also experience anxiety,and the presence of both together impacts symptoms and appropriate treatment recommendations.

Symptoms of Anxious ADD

Approximately 80% of people with ADHD have at least one additional diagnosis, and some research shows that up to 50% of people with ADHD also have ananxiety disorder.

How People With ADD Experience AnxietyIndividuals with ADHD and an anxiety disorder experience their anxiety differently than those with an anxiety disorder but not ADHD. Specifically, those with ADHD experience more severe anxiety, earlier onset of symptoms, and a higher risk for substance use disorders than those who do not have ADHD.

How People With ADD Experience Anxiety

Individuals with ADHD and an anxiety disorder experience their anxiety differently than those with an anxiety disorder but not ADHD. Specifically, those with ADHD experience more severe anxiety, earlier onset of symptoms, and a higher risk for substance use disorders than those who do not have ADHD.

Furthermore, co-morbid anxiety symptoms can cause ADHD to be more difficult to accurately diagnose.

Diagnosing Anxious ADD

Because anxiety symptoms canmaskADHD symptoms, providers who diagnose ADHD must understand this connection and consider the possibility that someone may have both sets of symptoms.

An evaluation for ADHD often includes the following:

An evaluation for anxiety also includes a diagnostic interview as well as measures that assess your level of anxiety compared to the general population.

Causes of Anxious ADD

Anxiety disorders have agenetic component,meaning that those with a family history of anxiety are more likely to display symptoms. However, environmental factors and stressors can also cause someone to develop anxiety.

Rather than punishing behaviors related to ADHD, caretakers should gently redirect the child to more appropriate choices. They can also learn the child’s unique strengths and encourage behaviors and activities that play to these strengths.

How Is Anxious ADD Treated?

Each person with anxious ADHD can follow a specific treatment plan that meets their unique needs. No one course of treatment is right for everyone, and you can work with your treatment team to determine which options are right for you.

Treatment options for anxious ADHD include:

Types of Therapy: An A to Z List of Your Options

Coping and Living With Anxious ADD

Through therapy, you can learn healthier skills for coping with your ADHD symptoms and experience reduced anxiety symptoms. Specific treatments that can help both anxiety and ADHD include:

Social support is also essential for treating anxiety and ADHD. People with both diagnoses benefit from close friends and family who help them when their symptoms create challenges.

Those supporting someone with anxiety and ADHD can help them maintain a consistent routine, remember their tasks and appointments, and helping them keep track of their important items and documents.

Living With ADHD: Strategies for Well-Being

14 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Epstein JN, Loren REA.Changes in the definition of ADHD in DSM-5: Subtle but important.Neuropsychiatry. 2013;3(5):455-458. doi:10.2217/npy.13.59American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Salali GD, Uysal MS, Bevan A.Adaptive function and correlates of anxiety during a pandemic.Evol Med Public Health. 2021 Nov 12;9(1):393-405. doi:10.1093/emph/eoab037D’Agati E, Curatolo P, Mazzone L.Comorbidity between ADHD and anxiety disorders across the lifespan.International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice. 2019;23(4):238-244.Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Mancini C, Van Amernigen M, Oakman JM, Figueiredo D.Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults with anxiety disorders.Psychological Medicine. 1999;29(3):515-525. doi:10.1017/s0033291798007697Schatz DB, Rostain AL.ADHD with comorbid anxiety.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2006;10(2):141-149. doi:10.1177/1087054706286698Nelson JM, Whipple B, Lindstrom W, Foels PA.How is ADHD assessed and documented? Examination of psychological reports submitted to determine eligibility for postsecondary disability.J Atten Disord. 2019;23(14):1780-1791. doi:10.1177/1087054714561860Middeldorp CM, Cath DC, Van Dyck R, Boomsma DI.The co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in the perspective of genetic epidemiology. A review of twin and family studies.Psychol Med. 2005 May;35(5):611-24. doi:10.1017/s003329170400412xFaraone SV, Larsson H.Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Mol Psychiatry.2019;24:562–575. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0070-0Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3Sciberras E, Mulraney M, Anderson V, et al.Managing anxiety in children with ADHD using cognitive-behavioral therapy: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2015;22(5):515-520. doi:10.1177/1087054715584054Haydicky J, Wiener J, Badali P, Milligan K, Ducharme JM.Evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with learning disabilities and co-occurring ADHD and anxiety.Mindfulness. 2012;3(2):151-164. doi:10.1007/s12671-012-0089-2Bond C, Woods K, Humphrey N, Symes W, Green L.Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990-2010.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2013;54(7):707-723. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12058

14 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Epstein JN, Loren REA.Changes in the definition of ADHD in DSM-5: Subtle but important.Neuropsychiatry. 2013;3(5):455-458. doi:10.2217/npy.13.59American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Salali GD, Uysal MS, Bevan A.Adaptive function and correlates of anxiety during a pandemic.Evol Med Public Health. 2021 Nov 12;9(1):393-405. doi:10.1093/emph/eoab037D’Agati E, Curatolo P, Mazzone L.Comorbidity between ADHD and anxiety disorders across the lifespan.International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice. 2019;23(4):238-244.Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Mancini C, Van Amernigen M, Oakman JM, Figueiredo D.Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults with anxiety disorders.Psychological Medicine. 1999;29(3):515-525. doi:10.1017/s0033291798007697Schatz DB, Rostain AL.ADHD with comorbid anxiety.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2006;10(2):141-149. doi:10.1177/1087054706286698Nelson JM, Whipple B, Lindstrom W, Foels PA.How is ADHD assessed and documented? Examination of psychological reports submitted to determine eligibility for postsecondary disability.J Atten Disord. 2019;23(14):1780-1791. doi:10.1177/1087054714561860Middeldorp CM, Cath DC, Van Dyck R, Boomsma DI.The co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in the perspective of genetic epidemiology. A review of twin and family studies.Psychol Med. 2005 May;35(5):611-24. doi:10.1017/s003329170400412xFaraone SV, Larsson H.Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Mol Psychiatry.2019;24:562–575. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0070-0Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3Sciberras E, Mulraney M, Anderson V, et al.Managing anxiety in children with ADHD using cognitive-behavioral therapy: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2015;22(5):515-520. doi:10.1177/1087054715584054Haydicky J, Wiener J, Badali P, Milligan K, Ducharme JM.Evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with learning disabilities and co-occurring ADHD and anxiety.Mindfulness. 2012;3(2):151-164. doi:10.1007/s12671-012-0089-2Bond C, Woods K, Humphrey N, Symes W, Green L.Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990-2010.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2013;54(7):707-723. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12058

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Epstein JN, Loren REA.Changes in the definition of ADHD in DSM-5: Subtle but important.Neuropsychiatry. 2013;3(5):455-458. doi:10.2217/npy.13.59American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Salali GD, Uysal MS, Bevan A.Adaptive function and correlates of anxiety during a pandemic.Evol Med Public Health. 2021 Nov 12;9(1):393-405. doi:10.1093/emph/eoab037D’Agati E, Curatolo P, Mazzone L.Comorbidity between ADHD and anxiety disorders across the lifespan.International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice. 2019;23(4):238-244.Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3Mancini C, Van Amernigen M, Oakman JM, Figueiredo D.Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults with anxiety disorders.Psychological Medicine. 1999;29(3):515-525. doi:10.1017/s0033291798007697Schatz DB, Rostain AL.ADHD with comorbid anxiety.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2006;10(2):141-149. doi:10.1177/1087054706286698Nelson JM, Whipple B, Lindstrom W, Foels PA.How is ADHD assessed and documented? Examination of psychological reports submitted to determine eligibility for postsecondary disability.J Atten Disord. 2019;23(14):1780-1791. doi:10.1177/1087054714561860Middeldorp CM, Cath DC, Van Dyck R, Boomsma DI.The co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in the perspective of genetic epidemiology. A review of twin and family studies.Psychol Med. 2005 May;35(5):611-24. doi:10.1017/s003329170400412xFaraone SV, Larsson H.Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Mol Psychiatry.2019;24:562–575. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0070-0Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3Sciberras E, Mulraney M, Anderson V, et al.Managing anxiety in children with ADHD using cognitive-behavioral therapy: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2015;22(5):515-520. doi:10.1177/1087054715584054Haydicky J, Wiener J, Badali P, Milligan K, Ducharme JM.Evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with learning disabilities and co-occurring ADHD and anxiety.Mindfulness. 2012;3(2):151-164. doi:10.1007/s12671-012-0089-2Bond C, Woods K, Humphrey N, Symes W, Green L.Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990-2010.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2013;54(7):707-723. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12058

Epstein JN, Loren REA.Changes in the definition of ADHD in DSM-5: Subtle but important.Neuropsychiatry. 2013;3(5):455-458. doi:10.2217/npy.13.59

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.

Salali GD, Uysal MS, Bevan A.Adaptive function and correlates of anxiety during a pandemic.Evol Med Public Health. 2021 Nov 12;9(1):393-405. doi:10.1093/emph/eoab037

D’Agati E, Curatolo P, Mazzone L.Comorbidity between ADHD and anxiety disorders across the lifespan.International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice. 2019;23(4):238-244.

Katzman MA, Bilkey TS, Chokka PR, Fallu A, Klassen LJ.Adult ADHD and comorbid disorders: clinical implications of a dimensional approach.BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):302. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1463-3

Mancini C, Van Amernigen M, Oakman JM, Figueiredo D.Childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults with anxiety disorders.Psychological Medicine. 1999;29(3):515-525. doi:10.1017/s0033291798007697

Schatz DB, Rostain AL.ADHD with comorbid anxiety.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2006;10(2):141-149. doi:10.1177/1087054706286698

Nelson JM, Whipple B, Lindstrom W, Foels PA.How is ADHD assessed and documented? Examination of psychological reports submitted to determine eligibility for postsecondary disability.J Atten Disord. 2019;23(14):1780-1791. doi:10.1177/1087054714561860

Middeldorp CM, Cath DC, Van Dyck R, Boomsma DI.The co-morbidity of anxiety and depression in the perspective of genetic epidemiology. A review of twin and family studies.Psychol Med. 2005 May;35(5):611-24. doi:10.1017/s003329170400412x

Faraone SV, Larsson H.Genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Mol Psychiatry.2019;24:562–575. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0070-0

Caye A, Swanson JM, Coghill D, Rohde LA.Treatment strategies for ADHD: an evidence-based guide to select optimal treatment.Mol Psychiatry. 2019;24(3):390-408. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0116-3

Sciberras E, Mulraney M, Anderson V, et al.Managing anxiety in children with ADHD using cognitive-behavioral therapy: A pilot randomized controlled trial.Journal of Attention Disorders. 2015;22(5):515-520. doi:10.1177/1087054715584054

Haydicky J, Wiener J, Badali P, Milligan K, Ducharme JM.Evaluation of a mindfulness-based intervention for adolescents with learning disabilities and co-occurring ADHD and anxiety.Mindfulness. 2012;3(2):151-164. doi:10.1007/s12671-012-0089-2

Bond C, Woods K, Humphrey N, Symes W, Green L.Practitioner review: The effectiveness of solution focused brief therapy with children and families: A systematic and critical evaluation of the literature from 1990-2010.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2013;54(7):707-723. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12058

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