Why So Many Women Think They Have Anxiety...When It's Actually ADHD
Many women truly do have anxiety. Others have ADHD. Many have both. The challenge is that
the two conditions can overlap so closely that ADHD is often missed, especially in adult women.
Understanding which symptoms come from which condition is important because treatment may be
very different.
Why ADHD Is Often Missed in Women
For decades, ADHD research focused primarily on boys with obvious hyperactivity. Girls often
develop coping strategies that hide their symptoms. They may appear organized, high-achieving, or
anxious while silently working twice as hard just to keep up. As responsibilities increase through
college, careers, relationships, or parenthood, those coping strategies may no longer be enough.
What ADHD Can Look Like in Everyday Life
• Your dishwasher is full, you know it needs to be emptied, but you walk past it several times before
finally starting.
• You begin five projects with the best intentions but struggle to finish them.
• You remember an appointment only after you've already missed it, despite calendars and
reminders.
• You lose your keys, phone, or wallet more often than you'd like.
• You feel mentally exhausted by the end of the day from trying to stay organized.
• A small criticism stays with you for hours even though you know it shouldn't.
How Anxiety and ADHD Can Look Similar
Both conditions can involve racing thoughts, poor concentration, restlessness, irritability, trouble
sleeping, and feeling overwhelmed. The underlying cause, however, may be different. Anxiety often
stems from anticipating future threats, while ADHD-related anxiety commonly develops after years
of missed deadlines, forgotten responsibilities, chronic overwhelm, and the effort required to
compensate for executive functioning challenges.
Can You Have Both ADHD and Anxiety?
Absolutely. Many adults meet criteria for both conditions. Treating anxiety alone may provide only
partial improvement if ADHD is also present. Likewise, treating ADHD without recognizing
significant anxiety can leave important symptoms unresolved.
Why an Accurate Evaluation Matters
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation looks beyond a checklist. I consider when symptoms
began, family history, school and work experiences, sleep, lifestyle, medical conditions,
medications, thyroid function, nutrition, hormone changes, previous treatment, and current
stressors. Looking at the complete picture helps create a treatment plan tailored to the individual.
Research has shown that girls and women are less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD during
childhood because symptoms often present differently than the more disruptive behaviors
commonly recognized in boys.
When Should You Consider an Evaluation?• You're constantly overwhelmed despite trying your best.
• Anxiety treatment hasn't fully helped.
• You struggle with organization, time management, or focus throughout your life.
• You frequently forget important tasks or appointments.
• You feel like everyone else handles life more easily than you do.
How I Approach This at Neurvana Psychiatry & Wellness
Rather than assuming anxiety or ADHD based only on symptoms, I take time to understand the
whole picture. My goal is not simply to assign a diagnosis. It's to understand why you're
experiencing these symptoms and develop an individualized treatment plan that supports your
long-term mental health and overall well-being.
Take the Next Step
You don't have to keep wondering why life feels harder than it seems to for everyone else. Whether
your symptoms are caused by anxiety, ADHD, both, or something entirely different, a thoughtful
psychiatric evaluation can provide clarity and help guide the next steps in treatment. Neurvana
Psychiatry & Wellness offers comprehensive telehealth psychiatric evaluations for adults across
Utah.