When ADHD Isn’t ADHD: The Quiet Mimicry of Anxiety and Trauma
Clients often arrive in my practice with a confident self-diagnosis:
“I think I have ADHD.”
And sometimes, they do. But sometimes, what they’re describing isn’t attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, it’s anxiety. Or more precisely, anxiety shaped by trauma.
The symptoms overlap in ways that feel eerily familiar:
“I have trouble relaxing.”
“I can’t focus.”
“I can’t turn my brain off.”
“I can’t sleep.”
These phrases echo across sessions, whispered with frustration, shame, or a longing to be understood.
And while ADHD is real and valid, as a therapist whose foundation is rooted in trauma-informed care, it’s important for me to also gently name what else might be happening beneath the surface.
Social media loves ADHD
ADHD is having a moment. Social media reels, infographics, and self-help podcasts have made it digestible, relatable, and sometimes, overgeneralized. It’s not uncommon to see a carousel post listing symptoms that could just as easily describe someone in a prolonged state of hypervigilance.
This isn’t to dismiss ADHD. It’s to say: trauma can make anxiety wear ADHD’s clothes.
How they can look the same
Let’s name a few overlaps:
Both ADHD and trauma-related anxiety can make everyday functioning feel like a battle.
But the root causes, and the paths to healing, can be very different.
A Note on Compassion
This isn’t me doubting ADHD. I believe in it deeply. I’ve witnessed its impact in the lives of people I love, people who’ve struggled, adapted, and found ways to thrive. I hold immense compassion for those navigating ADHD, and I honor the complexity of their experience.
My motive here isn’t to undermine. It’s to expand.
To say: it isn’t always ADHD.
Sometimes, what looks like ADHD is anxiety. Sometimes, it’s trauma. And sometimes, it’s both.
A Gentle Reframe
So, what if we paused before labeling? What if we asked:
What does my nervous system need right now?
Is my difficulty focusing on a symptom, or a signal?
Could this be anxiety shaped by past overwhelm?
Naming trauma doesn’t erase ADHD.
Yet, it widens the lens. It invites compassion, curiosity, and a more nuanced path forward.
An Invitation to Explore
If you’ve ever felt like your brain won’t turn off, like rest feels unreachable, or like your focus is scattered beyond repair, you’re not broken, and you certainly are NOT alone.
You might just be carrying more than your body was meant to hold alone.
This week, I invite you to explore your own nervous system care:
Notice what helps you feel safe enough to soften.
Track moments when your focus returns, what conditions made that possible?
Try one small ritual that invites your body out of vigilance and into ease.
You don’t need to “fix” yourself. You might just need to be witnessed.
Begin Your Journey
Understanding what’s beneath our symptoms can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. As a trauma-informed therapist, Mallory Tedrick, LISW, helps clients explore the connection between anxiety, trauma, and focus with compassion and curiosity. If you’re ready to untangle what your nervous system is carrying, schedule a free consultation to begin that journey.