ADHD and Anxiety: When Your Brain Just Won’t Hit the Brakes!

ADHD and anxiety often show up together — learn how to treat both without letting one get in the way of the other

If you’ve ever felt like your brain is stuck in overdrive and underdrive at the same time — you’re not imagining it. That’s exactly what it can feel like to live with both ADHD and anxiety.

One condition is pushing you to act fast, leap from task to task, and forget your keys (again). The other has you overthinking every decision, worrying you said the wrong thing, and wondering if you’re messing it all up. Together? It's chaos. But here’s the good news: you’re not alone — and this combo is treatable.

So, what’s actually going on?

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) makes it hard to stay focused, control impulses, or sit still — especially when you’re bored or overwhelmed. Anxiety, on the other hand, is all about too much focus… usually on the scary “what ifs.”

What’s tricky is that the two often fuel each other. You forget an assignment —> you panic. You’re anxious about a conversation —> you get distracted and lose your train of thought. Round and round it goes.

The treatment challenge: Where do we start?

Many people with ADHD and anxiety find themselves stuck in a frustrating loop: treating one condition seems to make the other worse. Maybe you tried an ADHD med and suddenly your heart was racing. Or you focused on therapy for anxiety, but your attention issues kept getting in the way.

It’s a balancing act, but it doesn’t have to be guesswork.

What actually works?

At Suburban Psychiatric Specialists, we take a layered, personalized approach — because there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to brains.

Here’s how we usually approach it:

💊 Thoughtful medication management

• Some people do best starting with anxiety meds (like SSRIs) to take the edge off the worry, before introducing ADHD treatment.

• Others may need an ADHD med right away — and when chosen carefully, it can actually reduce anxiety by helping them feel more in control.

• Non-stimulant options like guanfacine or atomoxetine are also great tools, especially for sensitive systems.

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🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is one of our favorite tools. It’s not just “talk therapy” — it’s practical, skills-based, and helps with both negative thoughts and executive functioning. We often recommend working with a therapist trained in both anxiety and ADHD techniques.

🗂️ Executive function support

Sometimes what feels like anxiety is really the stress of being constantly disorganized. Coaching or therapy to build structure — think routines, visual aids, task breakdowns — can bring massive relief.

🧘‍♀️ Lifestyle support

Sleep, movement, mindfulness — they’re not fluff. They’re fuel. And when you’re juggling two diagnoses, your nervous system needs all the support it can get.

You deserve a plan that works with your brain — not against it.

Whether you’re a parent navigating this with your child, or an adult who’s just now putting the pieces together, know this: it gets better with the right support.

We work with patients across Norwood, Sharon, Dedham, Walpole, Canton, Westwood, Foxboro, Mansfield, Newton, Needham, Dover, and Stoughton as well as greater Boston area — and we’d be honored to help you too!

📞 Call us at 508-206-8578 or🌐 Book a consultation at www.sps.healthcare

Let’s figure this out — together.