ADHD vs Anxiety
in Kids and Teens

ADHD vs Anxiety in Kids and Teens

Is It Anxiety or ADHD? Understanding the Overlap—and Why a Neuropsychological Evaluation Can Help

As a parent, it’s really hard to see your child struggle—whether it’s difficulty focusing in school, trouble completing homework, or meltdowns over seemingly small things. What’s even more frustrating is trying to figure out why they’re struggling. Is it anxiety? Is it ADHD? Could it be both?

Many children and teens display signs that could point to either anxiety or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and teasing apart these conditions isn’t always straightforward. This is where a neuropsychological evaluation becomes incredibly valuable. It provides the in-depth insight needed to fully understand what’s going on beneath the surface—and how to best support your child both at school and at home.

illustration of blue arrow
group of four diverse children on different colored backgrounds

Why Anxiety and ADHD Are Often Confused

Anxiety and ADHD can look remarkably similar in everyday life. Both can affect attention, behavior, and social functioning. For example:

  • A child with anxiety may appear distracted in class because they’re preoccupied with worries.

  • A child with ADHD may appear restless and inattentive because their brain has trouble sustaining focus.

  • Both may have trouble starting tasks, keeping organized, or following multi-step directions.

But while the behaviors can look similar on the outside, the underlying causes are different—and so are the treatments.

young red headed girl looks at her therapist going over colored drawings she just created

The Risk of Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis or partial diagnosis can lead to interventions that don’t address the root of the problem. For instance:

  • A child with anxiety misdiagnosed as having only ADHD may be prescribed stimulant medication, which can increase anxiety symptoms.
  • A child with ADHD misdiagnosed as simply “anxious” might be enrolled in therapy that doesn’t address executive functioning issues with working memory or planning and organization.

This is where differential diagnosis—the process of distinguishing between conditions with overlapping symptoms—becomes so important.

The Role of a Neuropsychological Evaluation

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that looks at how your child’s brain is functioning across a wide range of areas, including:

  • Reasoning and problem solving skills

  • Attention and executive functioning
  • Processing speed
  • Language processing
  • Memory and learning
  • Social skills and functioning
  • Emotion regulation, including anxiety and mood symptoms
  • Academic skills

By combining standardized testing, parent and teacher questionnaires, behavioral observations, and developmental history, the evaluator can identify whether your child’s struggles are due to:

  • Primary ADHD
  • Primary anxiety
  • Both anxiety and ADHD
  • Or even another condition like a learning disability or autism spectrum disorder

This level of clarity is essential for designing effective treatment plans—at school, at home, and (if needed) with medical providers.

How the Evaluation Helps
at School and Home

A detailed neuropsychological report doesn’t just give a diagnosis—it also includes individualized recommendations. This can include:

  • Accommodations for school (e.g., extended time, movement breaks, or reduced homework load)
  • Targeted therapies (e.g., CBT for anxiety, executive functioning coaching for ADHD)
  • Parenting strategies for home (e.g., consistent routines, reward systems, or anxiety-reducing Referrals to other specialists, if needed

Having this guidance can be a game changer. It helps parents feel more confident and gives schools a roadmap to better support your child.

young african american boy sitting at a desk writing in a notebook

When to Consider a Neuropsychological Evaluation

You might want to pursue a neuropsychological evaluation if:

  • Your child is showing symptoms of both anxiety and ADHD
  • Interventions so far haven’t helped as expected
  • Teachers or pediatricians are unsure what’s driving the challenges
  • You want clarity before starting (or adjusting) medication

  • You need documentation to support an IEP or 504 Plan at school

When to Consider a Neuropsychological Evaluation

You might want to pursue a neuropsychological evaluation if:

  • Your child is showing symptoms of both anxiety and ADHD
  • Interventions so far haven’t helped as expected
  • Teachers or pediatricians are unsure what’s driving the challenges
  • You want clarity before starting (or adjusting) medication

  • You need documentation to support an IEP or 504 Plan at school

Let’s Get Clarity—Together

If you’re feeling unsure about what’s really going on with your child, you’re not alone—and help is available. Dr. Travers offers complimentary consultation calls to help parents understand the evaluation process and determine if a neuropsychological assessment is the right next step.

hummingbird line illustration

Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward clarity and confident decision-making.

illustration of blue arrow