ADHD and Co-Occurring Anxiety: Understanding Overlaps in Cognitive and Emotional Processes

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder of the brain that is present across the lifespan, characterised by a triad of symptoms, namely inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, that adversely affect the person's life significantly. ADHD was, for a long time, thought to be a condition that only affects children, but now it is recognised as a disorder that follows a person into adolescence and adulthood. Deficits in executive functions such as working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and sustained attention often characterise its cognitive profile. In addition to these mental problems, people with ADHD are also emotionally sensitive and may develop internalising symptoms such as anxiety, which can confuse the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.