ADHD vs Anxiety in Adults: How to Tell the Difference in Pennsylvania and Delaware
Many adults come to evaluation asking:
“Is this ADHD… or is it anxiety?”
The truth is — they can look similar.
Both can cause:
Difficulty concentrating
Restlessness
Sleep problems
Racing thoughts
Irritability
But they are not the same condition.
Understanding the difference matters. Treatment plans are very different.
The Core Difference: Regulation vs Worry
ADHD is primarily a disorder of executive function and self-regulation.
Anxiety is primarily a disorder of excessive fear and anticipatory worry.
In ADHD:
The mind jumps because it is under-regulated.
Focus drops when interest drops.
Time management collapses under low stimulation.
In anxiety:
Focus drops because worry consumes cognitive bandwidth.
Thoughts loop around fear-based themes.
Avoidance behaviors increase.
How ADHD Presents in Adults
Adult ADHD often includes:
Chronic procrastination
Time blindness
Difficulty starting tasks
Forgetfulness
Losing items
Interrupting conversations
Emotional impulsivity
These patterns are lifelong — even if they were masked in childhood.
If you haven’t read it yet, see:
👉 What Happens During an Adult ADHD Evaluation?
👉 How Long Does an Adult ADHD Evaluation Take?
How Anxiety Presents in Adults
Anxiety more often includes:
Excessive worry about worst-case outcomes
Physical tension
Panic episodes
Catastrophic thinking
Avoidance of feared situations
Sleep disruption due to rumination
The driver is fear — not executive dysfunction.
When ADHD and Anxiety Overlap
Many adults have both.
Chronic executive dysfunction can create secondary anxiety.
Missing deadlines repeatedly can create fear of failure.
This is why rushed diagnoses are risky.
A thorough ADHD evaluation includes differential diagnosis screening to ensure accuracy.
Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Treating anxiety as ADHD may leave core fear untreated.
Treating ADHD as anxiety may leave executive dysfunction untreated.
Medication decisions differ.
Therapy approaches differ.
Behavioral systems differ.
If you're in Pennsylvania or Delaware and unsure which condition applies, a structured evaluation can clarify the difference.
Serving Adults in PA & DE
At ADHDPhiladelphia.com, adult evaluations are:
DSM-aligned
Executive-function informed
Differential-diagnosis focused
Designed to reduce misdiagnosis
Telehealth is available throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware.
In-person appointments are available after the initial telehealth visit. No walk-ins.
If you’ve been wondering whether your concentration difficulties are ADHD or anxiety, the next step is a careful evaluation.
👉Book your consultation today.