We often hear about anxiety and ADHD as separate conditions, but did you know they frequently show up together?
Many people experience high functioning anxiety and ADHD, but because they seem to “have it all together” on the surface, their struggles often go unnoticed.
If you’ve ever felt constantly on edge, overthinking everything, or pushing yourself to exhaustion just to keep up, you’re not alone.
Let’s explore how high functioning anxiety and ADHD intersect, what they look like together, and how therapy can help.
Can You Have High Functioning Anxiety and ADHD?
Absolutely! In fact, it’s quite common. High functioning anxiety and ADHD often go hand in hand because both conditions affect focus, energy levels, and emotional regulation.
- ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) affects impulse control, focus, and organization.
- High functioning anxiety is a type of anxiety where individuals appear successful and driven but constantly struggle with worry, perfectionism, and overthinking.
Together, high functioning anxiety and ADHD can create a cycle where anxiety pushes someone to overcompensate for their ADHD-related challenges. They might work extra hard to stay organized, meet deadlines, and mask their struggles, all while feeling drained and overwhelmed.
What Do ADHD and Anxiety Look Like Together?
Because both ADHD and anxiety affect brain function, they can overlap in ways that make it tricky to tell them apart. Here’s what happens when high functioning anxiety and ADHD show up together:
- Overthinking & Hyperactivity – People with ADHD often jump from one thought to another, and anxiety adds a layer of overanalyzing everything.
- Perfectionism & Procrastination – Anxiety fuels a fear of failure, making tasks feel overwhelming, while ADHD can make it hard to focus on those tasks in the first place.
- Forgetfulness & Worrying – ADHD can cause forgetfulness, leading to anxiety about missing deadlines or making mistakes.
- Restlessness & Fatigue – ADHD keeps the mind racing, while anxiety keeps it tense, making it hard to truly relax.
The combination of high functioning anxiety and ADHD can be exhausting. People with both conditions may feel like they’re constantly running on a mental treadmill but never quite catching up.
What Does a Person with High-Functioning ADHD Look Like?
Many people think of ADHD as only affecting hyperactive kids, but that’s far from the full picture. Someone with high functioning anxiety and ADHD might:
- Be a perfectionist – Overcompensating for executive function struggles by setting impossibly high standards.
- Be a workaholic – Using work or projects as a coping mechanism to manage anxiety and distract from racing thoughts.
- Be overly self-critical – Constantly doubting their abilities, even when they’re successful.
- Seem organized—but feel chaotic inside – They might have elaborate planners and checklists, but internally, they’re always scrambling to keep up.
- Struggle with burnout – Pushing themselves too hard, then crashing when the mental exhaustion catches up.
It’s important to recognize that just because someone appears to be functioning well doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling.
Therapy can help individuals with high functioning anxiety and ADHD develop healthier coping strategies that don’t rely on burnout.
What Medication is Good for ADHD and Anxiety?
If you’re dealing with high functioning anxiety and ADHD, you might be wondering about medication options. Since ADHD and anxiety affect the brain in different ways, finding the right treatment plan is essential.
Some medications that are often used include:
- Stimulants (Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) – These help with focus and impulse control in ADHD but can sometimes increase anxiety.
- Non-Stimulants (Strattera, Intuniv, Kapvay) – These can be effective for ADHD without the risk of increasing anxiety.
- SSRIs and SNRIs (Lexapro, Prozac, Effexor) – These are often used for anxiety and can help with emotional regulation.
- Beta Blockers (Propranolol) – Sometimes prescribed for situational anxiety (like public speaking) rather than general anxiety.
- Combination Approaches – Some people benefit from a mix of ADHD and anxiety medications tailored to their specific needs.
It’s crucial to work with a doctor or psychiatrist to find the right medication balance, as high functioning anxiety and ADHD can interact in complex ways.
How Can Therapy Help with High Functioning Anxiety and ADHD?
Therapy can be life-changing for individuals struggling with high functioning anxiety and ADHD.
A skilled therapist can help untangle the ways these conditions interact and provide strategies for managing them more effectively.
Some approaches that work well include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps identify negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Executive Function Coaching – Teaches skills for organization, time management, and breaking tasks into manageable steps.
- Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques – Helps calm the nervous system and manage anxious thoughts.
- Self-Compassion Practices – Encourages a healthier self-dialogue, reducing self-criticism and perfectionism.
The goal of therapy isn’t just to “fix” high functioning anxiety and ADHD, but to help individuals work with their brains rather than against them.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been feeling like you’re constantly juggling too much, stuck between ADHD-driven distraction and anxiety-fueled overthinking, you’re not alone.
High functioning anxiety and ADHD can be overwhelming, but with the right tools and support, it’s absolutely manageable.
Whether through therapy, medication, or lifestyle changes, you deserve strategies that help you thrive—not just survive.
If you’re ready to take control of your mental health, working with a therapist who understands high functioning anxiety and ADHD can be the first step toward feeling more balanced and at peace.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with a professional in New York or New Jersey.