Is It Anxiety - Or Undiagnosed ADHD?

Many people live for years believing they “just have anxiety.” But if you’ve tried everything - therapy, medication, mindfulness - and still feel mentally scattered, overwhelmed, or restless, this blog is for you. Could it  be time to ask a different question? Is it really anxiety, or could it be undiagnosed ADHD?

Anxiety and ADHD in adults often overlap, making it hard to tell them apart. The two conditions share similar symptoms, especially in people who have learned to mask or overcompensate. If you’re constantly battling distraction, forgetfulness, or inner chaos - even while appearing “fine” on the outside - this blog is for you.

ADHD vs Anxiety: Why the Symptoms Overlap

On the surface, anxiety and adult ADHD can look almost identical, which is why ADHD is often missed - especially in women and high-functioning adults. Common shared symptoms include:

• Racing thoughts or mental restlessness
  
• Trouble focusing or staying on task
  
• Difficulty with time management
  
• Feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks
  
• Restlessness or “nervous” energy
  

While anxiety is rooted in worry about the future, ADHD often comes from executive dysfunction - difficulty planning, organising, and completing tasks. But from the outside (and sometimes the inside), both can feel like anxiety.

Adults with undiagnosed ADHD often describe feeling mentally exhausted, overstimulated, or like their brain is constantly “on.” That inner tension gets labelled as anxiety - even when it's something else.

Why ADHD in Adults Often Goes Unnoticed

Undiagnosed ADHD in adults is more common than most people realise - and it’s especially underdiagnosed in women. Here’s why:

• Inattentive ADHD symptoms (like forgetfulness, daydreaming, emotional sensitivity) are often overlooked or mislabelled as anxiety or mood issues.
  
• High achievers can hide their struggles behind productivity, perfectionism, and coping tools like over-planning or burnout cycles.
  
• Masking ADHD is common: many adults adapt so well to their symptoms that even they don’t realise what’s going on underneath.
  

Because of this, many adults are misdiagnosed with anxiety or depression for years before discovering ADHD is part of the picture.

🧠 Questions to Help You Reflect

If you’ve been wondering whether it’s just stress - or something more - here are a few questions that might bring clarity:

• Do you frequently forget small things, or feel anxious about forgetting?
  
• Is your restlessness tied to stress, or is it always present?
  
• Do to-do lists help you focus, or leave you overwhelmed?
  
• Are you easily distracted, or just stressed about staying productive?
  

These aren’t diagnostic tools - but they’re useful starting points for self-reflection around ADHD symptoms in adults.

What to Do If This Feels Familiar

You don’t need to self-diagnose. But if this resonates with your experience, it could be worth exploring further. Many people discover later-in-life ADHD diagnoses after years of anxiety treatment that never quite worked.

Here are a few helpful next steps:

• Start journaling your symptoms and patterns, especially in high-stress moments
  
• Look for a therapist familiar with adult ADHD, particularly in women or non-hyperactive presentations
  
• Speak with a licensed medical professional to discuss a possible ADHD assessment
  

Exploring the possibility of ADHD isn’t about labelling - it’s about understanding how your brain works.

Final Thoughts

You're not the only one wondering, “Do I have anxiety or ADHD?”

It’s a question more and more people are asking - and for good reason.

Anxiety and ADHD can feel nearly identical, but understanding their differences can change everything. 

Getting curious about your mental patterns isn’t self-diagnosis - it’s self-awareness. And that’s a powerful first step.