ADHD Questions
How anxiety makes ADHD worse
Charles Li, MD
May 5, 2023
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Those with anxiety and ADHD have stronger ADHD symptoms than those with only ADHD.
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Anxiety can also worsen the effects of ADHD on our emotions and cognition.
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One study showed that those with anxiety were less likely to respond to Ritalin, an ADHD medication.
Anxiety and ADHD have a complicated relationship. Studies have consistently shown that those with ADHD have a higher risk of developing an anxiety disorder. Around 25 to 30% of those with ADHD also suffer from anxiety disorder.
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One quarter to one third of children (Swanson et al., 2008) and adults (Kessler et al., 2006) with ADHD have a comorbid anxiety disorder, a rate of co-occurrence that cannot be accounted for by referral bias or overlapping symptom assessment
Kessler et al. 2006
Swanson et al. 2008
There is a fair amount of evidence that having anxiety can affect how you experience ADHD.
For example, having anxiety has been linked with more severe ADHD symptoms. In a study of 134 adolescents with ADHD, those with anxiety had significantly more severe symptoms than those without anxiety:
How anxiety affects emotions with ADHD
Anxiety changes our emotions as well. While ADHD is most well-known for its effects on attention and hyperactivity, it can also affect how we handle emotions. Those with ADHD often struggle with keeping intense emotions under control.
One study found that those with anxiety and ADHD had more difficulty regulating their emotions than those with only ADHD:
One study found that those with ADHD and anxiety are more likely to have issues regulating their emotions. Having ADHD and anxiety also potentially amplifies ADHD symptoms.
Does anxiety affect how we think with ADHD?
ADHD affects how we think and process information. For example, it can reduce our working memory, the short-term memory we rely on for handling tasks and problems.
What is working memory?
A study found that while children with ADHD generally have difficulty with working memory, those with ADHD and anxiety had the most difficulty.
What does ADHD + Anxiety look like in children?
Does anxiety affect ADHD medication?
There is some evidence that anxiety can affect how well ADHD medications work.
ADHD is typically treated with medication, most commonly stimulants. These medications can be essential for keeping symptoms under control.
There is some evidence that anxiety may hinder the effectiveness of certain ADHD medications.
One study found that participants with anxiety and ADHD were significantly less likely to improve when provided with Ritalin.
Key Takeaways
Living with either ADHD or anxiety is hard; living with both is even more challenging. The research shows that anxiety can worsen ADHD symptoms, affect thinking, and even get in the way of certain treatments.
If you or your loved one have ADHD or anxiety, tell your doctor. Despite the challenges, both are still treatable conditions.