ADHD and anxiety in adults
Many adults with ADHD say the anxiety is the harder part. Years of missed deadlines, forgotten appointments and being told to try harder can leave you braced for the next thing to go wrong.
This guide is about support. I don't assess or diagnose ADHD. If you're wondering whether you have it, your GP is the place to start.
How ADHD and anxiety feed each other
ADHD can make everyday things harder: starting tasks, keeping track of time, remembering what you said you'd do. When things slip, it's natural to start worrying about the next time.
That worry then takes up the attention you need to focus, plan and get started. So more things slip, and the worry grows.
The two can also look alike. Both can make it hard to concentrate, sleep or sit still. That's one reason a proper assessment matters, and why it helps to mention both to your GP.
Signs anxiety is part of the picture
- Dread before tasks you'd usually manage
- Checking things over and over, in case you've forgotten something
- Avoiding post, emails or phone calls
- Feeling on edge for most of the day
- Criticism that stays with you for days
- Working so hard to seem organised at work that you're exhausted at home
What can help
Put structure outside your head. Lists, alarms, a calendar you can see. The less you have to hold in memory, the less there is to worry about losing.
Make the first step tiny. "Open the laptop" is easier to start than "do the report".
Build in buffer time between things, so one late start doesn't knock over the whole day.
Notice how you talk to yourself after a slip. "I always mess this up" adds to the anxiety. "That got missed, what would help next time?" doesn't.
If you're already diagnosed, mention the anxiety at your next review. It's part of the picture.
How counselling helps
In sessions, we look at the day-to-day impact of ADHD and the worry that has built up around it, practical and emotional. Many people find it's the first time they've talked about how it actually feels.
Counselling isn't a medical treatment, and it doesn't replace an ADHD assessment or medical care.
Talk it through
I offer ADHD counselling for adults in Barnsley and online. Individual sessions are £70 for 50 minutes, in private counselling rooms in a discreet town-centre location in Barnsley with free parking, or by video or telephone.
You can start with a free 10-minute phone intro, bookable at 12:00 or 12:30, Monday to Friday, or book a first session.
Free support
NHS Talking Therapies are free, and you can usually refer yourself. If you need to talk to someone now:
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Learn more →What happens in counselling?
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Learn more →Reviewed by Tracy Simpson, MBACP, October 2026.