Is it possible to have ADHD and anxiety at the same time?

Comorbid ADHD and anxiety is extremely common, affecting roughly 50% of people with ADHD. The relationship between the two conditions is complex and can take several forms:

Anxiety secondary to ADHD: years of struggles, perceived failures, criticism, and the feeling of not being able to do what looks easy for others create fertile ground for anxiety to develop. Anxiety, in that case, is an understandable response to untreated ADHD.

Coexisting primary anxiety: ADHD and the anxiety disorder are independent of each other, both present for distinct neurobiological reasons.

Performance anxiety: very common in people with ADHD who develop anticipatory fear of failing at tasks that have been difficult in the past.

Diagnostically, the overlap complicates things: both cause difficulty focusing (anxiety captures attention with worry; ADHD scatters attention). As for treatment, what works for ADHD (stimulants) can increase anxiety in some patients; what works for anxiety (benzodiazepines) can worsen ADHD. Careful evaluation and individualized treatment are essential.