What Are ADHD and Anxiety… Beneath the Surface?
Anxiety is about over-control. ADHD is about under-control. But most people with both feel like they’re caught in the middle of a mental tug-of-war.
Our clients often describe feeling both scattered and stuck – mentally exhausted from trying to manage thoughts that won’t stay put, or worries that won’t shut off.
Labels can help, but they can also limit. Many adults with ADHD were mislabeled as lazy. Many with anxiety were told to “just relax.” Neither is helpful. At Bridges, we dig deeper.
What Happens in the Brain: ADHD vs Anxiety
ADHD impacts executive function – planning, memory, time management. Anxiety triggers overactivation in the amygdala – the brain’s fear center. But both can look like distraction, avoidance, or emotional shutdown.
For example, someone with ADHD might miss a deadline and forget. Someone with anxiety might freeze and avoid. Both outcomes look the same – but the cause is different.
Why One Diagnosis Often Hides the Other
Most people are diagnosed with one – or treated for the more obvious symptoms – while the other remains unseen.
We’ve worked with countless clients who spent years in therapy for anxiety, only to discover their underlying ADHD had never been addressed. Or who were diagnosed with ADHD but had unresolved trauma driving their panic.
This is why real assessment matters. It’s the foundation of real healing.