5 Signs Your Struggles Aren’t Just Anxiety—They Could Be ADHD

Daniel Steinberg, PhD
Jun 17
2 min read

When "anxiety" is a mask for something deeper.

Illustration of a distressed person at a cluttered desk, surrounded by floating papers and swirling thoughts, symbolizing the overlap between anxiety and ADHD. — When anxiety looks like overwhelm—but the real issue might be undiagnosed ADHD.

Why ADHD and Anxiety Get Confused

ADHD and anxiety can look nearly identical on the surface—racing thoughts, restlessness, and difficulty focusing. But beneath the symptoms lie different root causes and different treatment pathways.

It’s not uncommon for high-functioning adults to be misdiagnosed with anxiety when ADHD is the real issue—especially if they’ve spent years masking symptoms through overachievement.

1. Your Anxiety Comes from Chaos, Not Catastrophe

You’re not fixated on worst-case scenarios. You’re anxious because you forgot three deadlines this week, showed up late twice, and can’t find your wallet. Again.

This isn’t irrational fear—it’s executive dysfunction in action.

2. You Can’t Prioritize—Even When You’re Calm

Once the anxious spiral stops, you’re still frozen. There’s no motivation boost. No clarity. Just fifteen open tabs and a mountain of unfinished tasks.

This paralysis isn’t fear-driven. It’s an ADHD hallmark.

3. You Over-Prepare to Avoid Dropping the Ball

You double-check emails obsessively. Set five alarms. Color-code everything.

Not because you’re anxious—but because your brain doesn’t reliably hold information. Hypervigilance becomes your survival strategy.

4. You’ve Been Called “Smart but Scattered” for Years

Teachers, partners, even past therapists have used the phrase.

You’re insightful, articulate—and constantly losing track of time, forgetting appointments, and scrambling to catch up.

Anxiety doesn’t explain that pattern. ADHD might.

5. Anxiety Treatments Haven’t Solved the Problem

You’ve done the therapy. Tried the breathing exercises. Maybe even medication.

But you’re still overwhelmed, disorganized, and stuck.

This isn’t anxiety’s residue—it may be an entirely different diagnosis.

Why an ADHD Assessment Matters

Treating the wrong problem wastes time, energy, and money. A comprehensive ADHD assessment helps you understand what’s really going on—and what will actually help.

Through structured interviews, self-report measures, and objective testing, we can differentiate ADHD from anxiety, depression, and burnout—providing a clear path forward.

Ready to Know for Sure?

If anxiety-focused treatments haven’t helped, it may be time to consider what’s been missed. I offer telehealth-based ADHD evaluations for adults across PSYPACT-participating states. Thoughtful care. Clear answers.

👉 Schedule Your ADHD Evaluation

Dr. Daniel Steinberg is a licensed clinical psychologist offering telehealth-based ADHD assessments for adults across PSYPACT-participating states. His approach emphasizes clarity, compassion, and clinically sound evaluation.