Does ADHD increase the risk of panic attacks?

PostedNovember 19, 2025

UpdatedNovember 21, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Living with ADHD often means managing high energy levels, rapid thoughts, and emotional intensity. For some, these same factors may contribute to panic attacks, sudden episodes of overwhelming fear and physical symptoms such as racing heart, breathlessness, and dizziness. According to NHS guidance, both conditions can share underlying patterns of emotional dysregulation and stress reactivity, which helps explain why panic attacks can be more common among people with ADHD.

Understanding the overlap between ADHD and panic

Recent research suggests that between 10–20% of adults and young people with ADHD experience panic attacks, with diagnosed panic disorder occurring more frequently than in the general population (PubMed, 2025; RCPsych, 2023). Emotional dysregulation, hyperarousal, and chronic stress exposure can heighten the body’s physiological response to anxiety, increasing susceptibility to panic. Neurobiological studies have shown that disruptions in dopamine and noradrenaline signalling, combined with overactivity in the amygdala, contribute to both ADHD and panic-spectrum symptoms (PubMed, 2025).

How ADHD-related factors increase vulnerability

People with ADHD often experience hyperarousal, meaning their body remains on high alert even without immediate danger. This persistent alertness, paired with difficulty managing intense emotions, can create the perfect conditions for panic to occur. Over time, repeated panic episodes may reinforce avoidance behaviours or health-related anxieties, especially in stressful or overstimulating environments (BMJ Best Practice, 2024).

What guidance recommends

Both NICE NG87 and the NHS recommend screening for panic symptoms during ADHD assessments to distinguish situational panic from anxiety linked to neurodevelopmental traits. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focused on panic management and emotional regulation is widely supported as an effective approach (PubMed, 2025).

Treatment may also include SSRIs for panic disorder, stimulant or non-stimulant medication for ADHD, and psychoeducation to help individuals differentiate between panic sensations and ADHD hyperarousal. Breathing and relaxation strategies, alongside ADHD coaching and workplace or educational adaptations, can further support recovery and confidence (RCPsych, 2023).

Key takeaway

Panic attacks are more common in people with ADHD, but they can be effectively managed through understanding, tailored therapy, and careful clinical support. Recognising shared mechanisms between ADHD and panic helps ensure that treatment is holistic, addressing both emotional regulation and physical anxiety responses to improve daily wellbeing.

Harriet Winslow, BSc

Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.