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What to do if a doctor misattributes ADHD to anxiety? 

PostedOctober 16, 2025
UpdatedOctober 16, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Sometimes, doctors may mistake ADHD symptoms for anxiety, especially when the signs overlap. This can lead to an ADHD misdiagnosis, delaying appropriate care and support. 

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How It Helps to Understand the Differences 

Knowing how anxiety and ADHD differ allows you to better explain your experiences and advocate for proper evaluation. 

Clarify the Symptom Timeline 

Anxiety often has a clear trigger or develops in response to life events. In contrast, ADHD tends to show up in childhood and continues into adulthood. Highlight patterns, not just isolated moments, when discussing symptoms. If your difficulties are long-standing and affect focus, organisation, or impulse control, this suggests more than just anxiety. 

Explain Impact Across Settings 

ADHD misdiagnosis often occurs when a doctor sees symptoms only through an emotional lens. Mention how your challenges show up at work, school, or in relationships. Overlapping symptoms ADHD can confuse assessments, so emphasising consistency and history helps. 

Request a Comprehensive Evaluation 

If your concerns are still being attributed to anxiety, ask for a referral to a mental health professional trained in distinguishing anxiety vs ADHD. A second opinion or further testing might clarify the correct diagnosis. 

Being mislabelled can be frustrating, but with preparation and persistence, you can move toward more accurate answers. 

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 How to talk to doctors or get assessed. 

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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.