Can anxiety worsen forgetfulness and spacing out? 

If you live with ADHD and also experience high levels of anxiety, you might notice your forgetfulness and spacing out get worse under stress. That’s no coincidence. The anxiety ADHD overlap is well recognised, and when both conditions are present, their symptoms can feed into each other especially when it comes to memory and attention. 

Anxiety puts the brain in a state of hyper-alertness. While that sounds like it would sharpen your focus, it often does the opposite, flooding your system with stress hormones and making it harder to hold onto information or stay mentally present. For people with ADHD, this added strain can tip an already delicate balance, worsening memory issues and increasing the likelihood of zoning out. 

How anxiety affects ADHD-related cognitive symptoms 

Here’s how the cognitive impact of anxiety can intensify ADHD symptoms: 

Working memory overload  

Anxious thoughts take up valuable mental bandwidth. When your brain is preoccupied with worry, there’s less space left to remember tasks, conversations, or plans a common frustration for those with ADHD. 

Increased distractibility  

Anxiety often makes your attention jump from one thought to another. For someone with ADHD, this can amplify existing attention difficulties and lead to frequent zoning out. 

Emotional overwhelm  

Stress and emotional reactivity both common in ADHD and anxiety can shut down focus altogether, leaving you mentally checked out or foggy. 

In conclusion, if you suspect anxiety is compounding your ADHD symptoms, then it is important to address the anxiety ADHD overlap. Treatment may include therapy, lifestyle changes, or medication.  

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Zoning out & Forgetfulness in ADHD.