Hello, I read up a lot on anxiety disorders vs. ADHD earlier this year, and my impression is that the symptoms can be pretty similar. After all, if you're bothered by anxious thoughts, you're distracted; when you aren't, you're worn out from them and still distracted. On the other hand, if you're very often late, so you set excessive alarms before every appointment and can't eat or sleep, that may be an ADHD 'cause' and an anxiety 'response'

While i was trying to figure out whether or not to get tested, heres some things i considered

• Do I think most of my worry comes from underperformance, or does most of my underperformance come from worry?
• What kind of ADHD symptoms did I have that aren't commonly associated with anxiety? Interrupting? Overreacting, but moving on quickly? Hyperfocus? Taking a long time to get to sleep, sleeping heavily, angry when people try to wake me?
• What about things associated with, but not a symptom of, ADHD? Bedwetting? Obsessive-compulsive behavior? Tics? Calmed by caffeine?
• Did I or others around me often feel like there was a vast difference between what i was 'capable' of and what i actually achieved?
• Did anyone express concerns about my behavior - relatives, teachers, classmates, doctors? This probably would be suggested to my guardian(s) and not me

I wouldn't worry about self-diagnosis, it's necessary for official diagnosis after all. The worst that happens is your doctor disagrees. I never knew what ADHD was except that my brother had it when he was young so I assumed it was being hyperactive and kind of out of control. (It turns out he was diagnosed with ADHD-PI, strangely enough! he probably still has it but doesnt want treatment.) About a year ago I made an appointment for what i described as a 'chronic mild depression', was diagnosed with GAD, and last month I suggested ADHD and was tested and diagnosed. It's pretty common for these things to get mixed up I think