ADHD with Anxiety
Can a child have both ADHD and anxiety?
Yes, a child can have both ADHD and anxiety together — it is one of the most common combinations, affecting roughly a quarter to a third of children with ADHD. The two share signs like restlessness and poor focus and can feed into each other, so a single whole-child clinician assessment gives the clearest picture. A clinical AbilityScore and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle centre.
Many parents notice their child is both restless and worried — and wonder if it can really be both. It very often is.
In short
Yes — a child can absolutely have both ADHD and anxiety together, and it is one of the most common combinations clinicians see. Roughly a quarter to a third of children with ADHD also experience significant anxiety. The two can look similar on the surface and can feed into each other, which is exactly why a careful, whole-child assessment matters more than guessing from one trait.How the two can overlap
ADHD and anxiety share several outward signs, so they are easy to confuse:- Restlessness and fidgeting — can come from ADHD or from feeling anxious.
- Trouble focusing — a worried mind wanders just as an inattentive one does.
- Avoiding tasks — may be impulsivity, or it may be fear of getting it wrong.
- Sleep difficulty and irritability — common to both.
They also influence each other. A child who struggles to finish work or keep track of belongings may start to feel anxious about school, homework or being told off — and rising anxiety can, in turn, make concentration and self-control even harder. Understanding which is driving what changes how you support your child.
When to seek a check
Consider a developmental check if your child's worry, restlessness or difficulty focusing is persistent, shows up across more than one setting (home and school), and is getting in the way of friendships, learning or daily routines. You don't need to separate the two yourself — that's the clinician's job. Bringing both concerns to one assessment gives the clearest picture.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online form or a single observation. Our clinicians look at attention, emotion and regulation together, so support is matched to what your child actually needs. Explore how a structured [child development assessment](/) and behavioural therapy work hand in hand for children who carry both.Trusted sources
Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC notes that anxiety is among the most frequent conditions occurring alongside ADHD in childhood, and recommends assessment that screens for co-occurring conditions rather than viewing symptoms in isolation.Next step — Bring both worries to one place — [book a Pinnacle assessment](/) and let a clinician see the whole picture.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Persistent worry or restlessness that shows up in more than one setting (home and school), and gets in the way of friendships, learning or daily routine.
Try this at home
When your child seems 'stuck' on a task, gently ask whether they feel worried about it rather than assuming they aren't trying — naming the feeling often eases both the anxiety and the focus.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-11 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
How common is it for a child to have both ADHD and anxiety?
It is very common — roughly a quarter to a third of children with ADHD also experience significant anxiety, making it one of the most frequent combinations clinicians see.
How can I tell whether it's ADHD or anxiety causing my child's poor focus?
You often can't tell from the outside, because both can cause restlessness, distraction and avoidance. That's why a structured clinician assessment that looks at attention and emotion together gives the clearest answer.
Can treating one help the other?
Yes — because the two feed into each other, supporting a child's anxiety can ease focus, and supporting attention can reduce the worry that builds around school and tasks. A clinician will tailor support to your child.