ADHD Questions
How common is anxiety in ADHD?
Charles Li, MD
May 5, 2023
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Studies on ADHD and anxiety have been conducted in different countries around the world.
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Researchers have found that around 25% to 33% of those with ADHD also have an anxiety disorder.
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Anxiety disorders have been linked with stronger ADHD symptoms and can occur alongside depression.
Overall, studies estimate that around a quarter to a third of those with ADHD have anxiety severe enough to qualify as a psychiatric 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
Anxiety and Depression in ADHD
One study of school-aged children found that around 27% had an anxiety disorder. 15% had both an anxiety and a depressive disorder, showing how common psychiatric conditions are among children with ADHD:
Comorbid anxiety and depression in school-aged children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and self- reported symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression among parents of school-aged children with and without ADHD
Effects of anxiety disorders in ADHD
Another study that examined the prevalence of anxiety among those with ADHD found similarly that 31% of those with ADHD also had an anxiety disorder.
Those with an anxiety disorder also had more severe ADHD symptoms, suggesting that anxiety and ADHD affect each other.
Treating anxiety and ADHD
One comprehensive study examining treatments for anxiety in ADHD found that around a third of their participants with ADHD also met the criteria for an anxiety disorder.
Fortunately, the study also found that anxiety in ADHD is treatable. A combination of medication and behavioral therapy worked the best in treating ADHD and anxiety:
Anxiety as a Predictor and Outcome Variable in the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD
Key Takeaways
Studies across different countries have shown remarkably similar estimates of the rate of anxiety disorders among those with ADHD.
It’s clear that those with ADHD have a higher risk of having anxiety.
Around 25 to 33% will qualify for a psychiatric diagnosis, but many more may experience significant anxiety in their daily lives that is not severe enough for a diagnosis.
Fortunately, the research shows that anxiety and ADHD are treatable. If you or a loved one has ADHD and anxiety, tell your doctor to see which treatment option is best for your case.