ADHD, Anxiety, or Depression? How to Tell the Difference When Everything Feels Overwhelming

Ever felt like your brain is running a marathon while your body just wants to nap? Or maybe your thoughts won’t stop racing, but at the same time, you’re struggling to focus on the simplest tasks? If so, you’re not alone! Many people find themselves wondering, “Do I have ADHD, anxiety, or depression?”—especially because these conditions can have overlapping symptoms.

So, let’s break it down in a simple, no-stress way. 🚀

ADHD, Anxiety, and Depression: What’s the Difference?

First, a quick overview of each:

🧠 ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) – Your brain is like 100 browser tabs open at once, and someone just started playing music on one of them, but you can’t find which one. ADHD can make it hard to focus, stay organized, and manage impulsivity.

⚡ Anxiety – It’s like your brain is stuck in “what if?” mode. You’re constantly overthinking, worrying about things (big or small), and your body might feel on edge—racing heart, tight chest, stomach issues—you name it.

😞 Depression – Imagine having a weighted blanket over your motivation, energy, and happiness. You might feel exhausted all the time, uninterested in things you used to enjoy, or just emotionally blah.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky—these conditions can overlap! Someone with ADHD can also have anxiety. Someone with anxiety can experience depression. And sometimes, depression looks a little like ADHD because of focus issues.

Spotting the Differences

Let’s break it down with some real-life examples:

Situation	ADHD?	Anxiety?	Depression?
You can’t focus at work/school.	You’re easily distracted, jumping from one task to another, and struggle to finish things.	Your brain is too busy worrying to focus.	You feel unmotivated and mentally foggy.
You’re constantly exhausted.	Burnout from overstimulation and chaotic thoughts.	Anxiety has your mind racing 24/7, so you never feel truly rested.	Depression drains your energy, making everything feel like a chore.
You avoid social plans.	You forgot to respond, got distracted, or double-booked yourself.	You’re worried about being judged or saying something awkward.	You just don’t have the energy or interest to go.
You procrastinate all the time.	Tasks feel boring, so you put them off until the last minute.	You’re afraid of failing, so you keep delaying.	You don’t have the motivation to start anything.

When It’s More Than One Thing

It’s completely possible to have ADHD and anxiety, or anxiety and depression. In fact, ADHD and anxiety often go hand in hand because struggling with focus and time management can naturally make someone feel anxious!

A few common combos:

• ADHD + Anxiety = Easily distracted and overthinking every little thing.

• Anxiety + Depression = Feeling overwhelmed and too exhausted to deal with it.

• ADHD + Depression = Wanting to do everything and nothing at the same time.

What to Do Next?

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t panic. The good news is that you’re already on the right track by learning more about your brain! Here are a few next steps:

✔️ Track Your Symptoms: Keep a journal of what you’re experiencing and when. Does your focus get worse when you’re stressed? Do certain situations trigger anxiety?

✔️ Take an ADHD/Anxiety/Depression Quiz: While online quizzes aren’t a diagnosis, they can help you see if you relate to common symptoms.

✔️ Talk to a Professional: If these struggles are interfering with your daily life, consider reaching out to a mental health provider (like us!). They can help you figure out what’s going on and create a plan that actually works for you.

✔️ Try Some Coping Strategies:

• For ADHD → Time blocking, body doubling (working alongside someone), and external reminders.

• For Anxiety → Deep breathing, grounding exercises, and challenging negative thoughts.

• For Depression → Small daily goals, movement, and reconnecting with things that bring you joy (even if it doesn’t feel fun at first).

Final Thoughts

Your mental health is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It’s okay if your symptoms don’t fit neatly into one box. What matters is getting the right support to help you feel like yourself again. 💙

If you’re feeling stuck and want a little guidance, we’re here to help. Let’s figure it out together! 💬✨