ADHD and anxiety often occur together because problems with focus, organization, time, follow-through, and emotional regulation create ongoing stress, and both conditions share genetic and brain-based pathways. Many people feel scattered and worried at the same time – a clinical reality known as comorbidity – and those two patterns can feed each other day after day. At True Self Mental Wellness in Chandler, we specialize in treating both conditions, helping you find clarity and peace of mind.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning. These patterns are not a lack of effort. They are part of how the brain regulates focus, impulse control, and activity level.
Adults and adolescents may struggle to start tasks, stay organized, finish what they begin, or keep track of time
Chronic procrastination, restlessness, forgetfulness, and trouble maintaining focus can show up in conversations, at work, at school, and at home
Untreated ADHD can feel like an invisible weight on career, relationships, and self-worth
A comprehensive ADHD plan, beginning with a psychiatric evaluation, is the first step so ADHD is not missed or mixed up with something else
Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress, characterized by feelings of worry, fear, tension, or apprehension. While occasional anxiety is normal, an anxiety disorder involves intense, excessive, and persistent worry that is difficult to control and out of proportion to the moment. Our approach to anxiety treatment is personalized and evidence-based, designed to help you reclaim your sense of calm. Common types of anxiety include:
A racing heart, tight muscles, poor sleep, and a mind that loops on what might go wrong
Some patients feel on edge most of the day; others have sudden spikes of panic
Symptoms can profoundly impact work, home, and social situations
ADHD and anxiety are two of the most common co-occurring conditions in mental health. The link is neurological, genetic, and situational, with overlap in both symptoms and brain function. Distinguishing one from the other is a key reason a professional psychiatric evaluation matters.
Trouble concentrating, restlessness, and sleep problems can belong to either condition
Executive dysfunction from ADHD affects planning and organization, leading to missed deadlines and forgotten appointments
That stress sparks worry, and the worry then crowds out attention even more
Shared family histories of mood and ADHD can contribute to chronic stress. Constant internal and external struggles can be exhausting and demoralizing, leading to a state of chronic stress.
Living with ADHD often means navigating a world that isn’t built for your brain, and the extra effort to focus, organize, and manage time can be draining. Over time, the brain learns to expect problems and anticipate failure or negative outcomes. Working professionals, parents, students, and first responders we see in Chandler, AZ, often describe this cycle.
Late starts, unfinished projects, and social mix-ups pile up
Feelings of being perpetually behind, overwhelmed, and inadequate
Chronic stress and self-criticism can evolve into an anxiety disorder
Many work twice as hard to look organized, then feel exhausted and on edge
Time blindness, impulsivity, and working memory gaps can train the mind to stay on high alert. Anxiety then becomes a running commentary on what might go wrong next.
Academic and professional stress: Difficulty with deadlines, organization, and sustaining focus can lead to poor performance reviews or academic struggles and intense anxiety about failure
Social anxiety: Impulsivity can cause interruptions, unfiltered comments, or strained relationships, while inattention makes conversations hard to follow, leading to embarrassment and fear of social situations
Emotional dysregulation: Intense emotions and difficulty regulating reactions can create anxiety about becoming overwhelmed in public or private
Financial and life-management issues: Forgetfulness, poor planning, and working-memory gaps can mean unpaid bills, forgotten messages, missed appointments, and a chaotic home
Time blindness: Ordinary tasks can turn into last-minute emergencies
Sensory overload: Noise, screens, or crowded spaces raise baseline stress
One of the most challenging overlaps is racing thoughts. In ADHD, this can be a stream of competing ideas jumping rapidly from topic to topic. In anxiety, it is often a loop of threat-focused worry about a specific topic.
Together, the mind can feel chaotic and out of control, with too many mental tabs open at once
The brain cannot sort what matters now from what can wait
Focus drops, irritability rises, and simple choices feel heavy
This cognitive overload is mentally and physically exhausting
These signs do not prove both diagnoses on their own. They do tell us the brain is carrying more than it can sort without support.
Feeling easily overwhelmed by simple tasks, or tasks that stall even when they are small
Increased irritability or frustration, especially after a long stretch of noise or decisions
Difficulty making decisions
Physical tension, such as muscle aches or headaches
A constant feeling of being “on edge”
Sleep that comes late or feels thin
Shutting down after work or school and being unable to restart
Bouncing between overdoing and avoiding
Beyond the situational links, research points to a shared biological basis. Understanding the genetic connection helps explain why ADHD and anxiety so often appear together.
Genetic factors influence how the brain regulates attention, mood, reward, threat, and our response to stress.
A disruption in these systems can contribute to the symptoms of both conditions at once
Genetic testing uses a cheek swab to offer insight into how a patient may process certain medicines
We use that information, along with symptoms and history, to guide medication management. Those with primarily inattentive ADHD may be more susceptible to internalizing struggles through quiet self-criticism and worry about being seen as careless or lazy. Related conditions such as depression and PTSD can sit alongside this pair and need to be part of the same plan.
Successfully managing co-occurring ADHD and anxiety requires an integrated and personalized approach. Because the symptoms overlap and influence one another, a plan that addresses only one condition often falls short. We treat both in one plan, not as two separate problems.
As a husband-and-wife-owned practice, we believe in a relationship-centered experience where you feel genuinely heard. Care starts with listening and a thorough psychiatric evaluation, so we can treat both conditions in a single plan. Structure helps ADHD, and calmer physiology helps anxiety.
An individualized plan may include medication, supportive psychotherapy during medication visits, lifestyle adjustments, and sleep and routine support
Close follow-up lets the same visit address both conditions
Telehealth and in-person appointments from our office in Chandler, AZ, keep care accessible
For many patients, treating the underlying ADHD is one of the most powerful ways to reduce anxiety. When stimulant or non-stimulant medications improve focus, organization, and impulse control, daily stressors fade, and fewer missed tasks mean fewer reasons to worry.
Non-stimulant options can be useful when worry is already high
Stimulants can help attention quickly for the right patient
We monitor mood, sleep, appetite, and restlessness so the plan can change if needed
Yes. In some individuals, stimulant medications can increase anxiety, jitteriness, a racing heart, or a wired feeling. Dose, timing, and the type of medicine all matter.
This is a known side effect and a reason to work closely with an experienced provider
We can adjust the dosage, switch medications, or add a separate medication to target anxiety rather than pushing through
The first weeks are a data-gathering period, not a final verdict
Treating ADHD well still lowers anxiety for many people once the right fit is found, and your comfort and well-being are our priority
If ADHD, anxiety, or both have been affecting your focus, mood, or daily life, a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation is the best place to start. Our team at True Self Mental Wellness offers both in-person and telehealth appointments from our Chandler, AZ, office, and we accept most major insurance plans as well as cash-pay options.
Call us at (480) 331-9140 to schedule an evaluation and take the first step toward clarity and relief.
True Self Mental Wellness is a husband-and-wife-owned practice built around accessible, relationship-centered psychiatric care.
Thomas Martin, PA, Co-Owner, is board-certified and brings extensive clinical experience to the evaluation and treatment of ADHD, anxiety, and co-occurring conditions. He develops individualized treatment plans that may include medication management, genetic testing, and supportive psychotherapy during medication visits, and he is especially skilled at managing complex cases across the lifespan.
Sarah Martin, Co-Owner, helps lead the practice’s patient experience, ensuring that every person who walks through our Chandler, AZ, office feels genuinely heard, respected, and supported throughout their care.
Dr. Laura Barket, D.O., brings a whole-person approach to psychiatric care as part of the True Self Mental Wellness team. She works alongside Thomas and Sarah Martin to provide patients in Chandler, AZ, with individualized, evidence-based treatment.
Together, Thomas and Sarah have built a practice centered on evidence-based treatment, shorter wait times, and continuity of care, so patients can build a lasting, trusted relationship with their provider.
So, what is the connection between ADHD and anxiety? Both conditions often occur together due to overlapping symptoms, shared genetic factors, and the way each can intensify the other. Understanding this connection allows us to create integrated, personalized treatment plans that help patients find clarity, calm, and improved daily functioning.
About the Author
Sarah Martin, BSN, RN
Your Path Forward Starts Here
October 1, 2026
