Anxiety or ADHD? Understanding the Overlap (Especially in Women)
You’re constantly overthinking, easily overwhelmed, sensitive to noise or clutter, and your mind never seems to slow down. You worry a lot—but also forget small tasks. You procrastinate—but you also feel like you're always doing something.
So… is it anxiety? ADHD? Both?
This is a question many women bring into sessions at The Serene Sanctuary—and for good reason. Anxiety and ADHD frequently overlap, especially in women, and the symptoms can look nearly identical on the surface.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is your body’s response to perceived stress or danger. It can be situational (like before a big event) or chronic. Common signs of anxiety include:
Racing or looping thoughts
Difficulty relaxing or “shutting off” your mind
Muscle tension, GI issues, fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Avoidance of social or stressful situations
Excessive worry about what others think
Perfectionism and fear of failure
Women with anxiety are often highly attuned to the emotions and needs of others—and often hold themselves to impossible standards.
What Is ADHD (in Adults)?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder isn’t just about being hyper or impulsive. In adult women, especially, ADHD can look very different:
Trouble focusing or following through on tasks
Forgetting appointments or misplacing items
Being easily distracted (especially by internal thoughts)
Emotional reactivity or sensitivity
Time blindness—underestimating how long things take
Constant multitasking, with few tasks actually finished
Low frustration tolerance
Women with ADHD are often labeled as “spacey,” “disorganized,” or “overly emotional”—when in reality, their brains are wired differently, not broken.
Why It’s So Common to Be Misdiagnosed (or Missed)
Here’s the tricky part: Many women go undiagnosed with ADHD for most of their lives, often being treated for anxiety or depression first. Why?
Because anxiety and ADHD both involve:
Racing thoughts
Sleep problems
Restlessness
Trouble focusing
Emotional overwhelm
For many women, ADHD doesn’t become obvious until adulthood—when life gets busier, more complex, and the old coping strategies stop working. That’s often when burnout and mental health symptoms spike.
Can You Have Both?
Yes. In fact, it's very common to have both anxiety and ADHD. Research shows that women with ADHD are significantly more likely to also struggle with anxiety, depression, or perfectionism.
Here’s how the cycle can look:
You have untreated ADHD →
You feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks →
You worry about failing or disappointing others →
Anxiety ramps up →
You try harder to mask your struggles →
Burnout and self-doubt increase
It’s exhausting—and often invisible to everyone around you.
Why Diagnosis Matters
Understanding whether you’re experiencing anxiety, ADHD, or both matters because treatment strategies can vary.
Anxiety alone may respond well to therapy, SSRIs, and lifestyle changes.
ADHD often requires specific medications or behavioral strategies.
Both may require a holistic approach—medication + therapy + nervous system support + daily structure.
At The Serene Sanctuary, I take the time to understand your full picture, not just the symptoms. We’ll work together to clarify what’s going on and build a treatment plan that works for your brain, your body, and your life.
You deserve care that doesn’t brush you off or hand you a one-size-fits-all answer.
You deserve someone who listens, really sees you, and supports you through the complexity.
✨ Schedule a free 15-minute consult today to find clarity and support that actually fits you.
Telehealth across Indiana | Private pay | Medication + lifestyle support | Designed for women who carry it all
