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How Does ADHD Overlap with Anxiety or Depression in Children? 

PostedSeptember 2, 2025
UpdatedSeptember 2, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice

Children can experience both ADHD and anxiety, or even depression, at the same time. This emotional overlap can complicate how symptoms appear and make it harder to spot what is causing a child’s distress. In many cases, the presence of ADHD and anxiety can heighten emotional reactions, lower confidence and lead to difficulties in both school and social settings. 

When ADHD and anxiety occur together, children may struggle with concentration not only due to attention issues but also because of worry or fear. Similarly, children with ADHD who develop depression may appear unmotivated or uninterested, which might be mistaken for laziness. These combinations of symptoms reflect how closely mood disorders and ADHD can interact, influencing a child’s behaviour, energy levels and emotional wellbeing. 

Common Symptoms 

Worry and distraction:  

Children with both ADHD and anxiety may become easily overwhelmed, leading to difficulty focusing and persistent worry. 

Irritability or sadness  

Mood disorders such as depression can cause children to feel low, tired or frustrated, which may intensify ADHD-related challenges. 

Avoidance of tasks 

The emotional overlap can result in children avoiding schoolwork or social activities due to stress, fear of failure or lack of interest. 

Understanding the relationship between ADHD and anxiety helps parents and professionals recognise the signs early and offer the right emotional and educational support tailored to the child’s needs. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert advice tailored to your needs.   

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Clinical interviews and History Taking.  

Harriet Winslow, BSc - My patient advice author - mypatientadvice.co.uk

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, author and a reviewer for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk

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. 

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