Do I Have ADHD or Am I Just Anxious and Burnt Out?
TL;DR: ADHD, anxiety, and burnout can look almost identical on the surface—leaving many women unsure what they’re actually dealing with. The difference lies in what drives those struggles: a lifelong brain pattern (ADHD), a nervous system on high alert (anxiety), or chronic stress that’s finally caught up (burnout). Therapy and ADHD evaluations can bring clarity, self-understanding, and the right support to move forward.
You’ve probably asked yourself this question before: Why can’t I focus? Why am I always so exhausted? Why do even simple tasks feel so overwhelming?
In today’s world, where everyone is stressed, anxious, and running on fumes, it’s not easy to tell whether your struggles are “just” burnout, anxiety, or signs of ADHD. And for women especially, the overlap can feel confusing.
The truth is, these experiences share a lot of the same symptoms—but the reasons behind them are different. And understanding what’s really going on in your brain and body can change how you approach healing.
Why It’s So Hard to Tell the Difference
Anxiety, burnout, and ADHD can all make you forgetful, scattered, tired, and overwhelmed. On the surface, they look the same.
But here’s the key difference:
ADHD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition—it’s about how your brain has always processed focus, attention, and executive function.
Anxiety happens when your nervous system is stuck in threat mode, constantly scanning for danger.
Burnout develops when chronic stress depletes your emotional, mental, and physical reserves.
Because symptoms overlap so much, many women spend years asking: “Am I anxious? Burnt out? Or is this ADHD?”
ADHD: How It Feels from the Inside
ADHD isn’t just about distraction. It’s about a brain that struggles to regulate attention—sometimes hyperfocusing, sometimes completely zoning out.
It can feel like:
Inconsistent focus. You can dive deep into things you love but can’t force yourself to do the basics.
Time blindness. Deadlines sneak up, and you underestimate how long things take.
Emotional intensity. Rejection or criticism cuts deeper than it seems to for others.
The shame cycle. “I know what I need to do, so why can’t I just do it?”
ADHD tends to be lifelong, showing up in school, relationships, and work—even if you’ve been compensating for years.
Anxiety: How It Feels from the Inside
Anxiety is different. It’s less about attention regulation and more about a threat system that won’t turn off.
It can feel like:
Racing thoughts. “What if this goes wrong?” plays on repeat.
Physical tension. Stiff shoulders, jaw clenching, stomach knots.
Hypervigilance. Constantly scanning for problems or mistakes.
Future orientation. Anxiety keeps pulling you into what might happen next.
Anxiety can mimic ADHD distractibility—but the distraction comes from worry loops, not from inconsistent focus.
Burnout: When Stress Outpaces Capacity
Burnout is more than just “being tired.” It’s what happens when long-term stress finally empties your tank.
It can feel like:
Exhaustion. Nothing seems to refill your energy.
Cynicism. The things you once cared about feel pointless.
Brain fog. Concentration and motivation disappear.
Situational triggers. Burnout usually develops from work, caregiving, or ongoing stress—rather than being lifelong
The biggest difference? Burnout is situational. ADHD is lifelong.
How They Interact and Overlap
Many women aren’t dealing with just one of these. They overlap—and often make each other worse.
ADHD + Anxiety. Missed cues or deadlines create anxiety → hypervigilance builds as a way to cope.
ADHD + Burnout. Years of masking and working harder than everyone else lead to exhaustion.
Anxiety → Burnout. Constant fight-or-flight mode drains the system until it crashes.
That’s why it can feel like “all of the above.”
Questions to Ask Yourself
Instead of self-diagnosing from a checklist, ask yourself:
Did these struggles exist long before the stress/anxiety (ADHD), or did they emerge after chronic stress (burnout)?
Do I notice inconsistent focus—even on things I enjoy—or is distraction mostly from worry loops (anxiety)?
Do I feel depleted because I’ve been masking and overcompensating (ADHD → burnout), or because I’ve been in survival mode (anxiety → burnout)?
Do these patterns show up since childhood, or mainly in adulthood?
Which feels more true: “I can’t get traction even when I try” (ADHD) or “I’m running on fumes and can’t keep going” (burnout)?
These aren’t diagnostic questions—but they can help you get curious about what’s underneath.
Therapy and Evaluation: Finding Clarity and Support
Here’s the good news: whether it’s ADHD, anxiety, burnout, or a mix of all three, therapy can help.
For ADHD, therapy can ease shame, build strategies for executive function, and teach nervous system regulation.
For anxiety, it helps calm the threat system and anchor you back in the present.
For burnout, therapy can guide recovery, boundary-setting, and reconnecting with what matters.
But sometimes therapy alone isn’t enough—you need clarity about what’s really happening. That’s where an ADHD evaluation can make a difference.
An evaluation won’t just give you a label. It can:
Provide validation that your struggles aren’t laziness or weakness.
Offer direction on the supports that will help most—whether that’s therapy, medication, coaching, or accommodations.
Help you build a roadmap so treatment matches your needs.
Bring peace of mind. Even if you don’t meet full criteria, the exploration itself can be healing.
The question isn’t just, “Do I have ADHD?” It’s, “What do I hope clarity will give me?”
ADHD Evaluations with Nicole
If you’re ready to explore whether ADHD might be part of your story, I offer two evaluation options in Miami:
1. Neurodivergence Screening
90 minutes | $350 | No formal diagnosis
One-session screening for ADHD and/or Autism traits.
Focus on your history, patterns, and challenges, compared with DSM-5 criteria.
Immediate feedback on what I noticed and whether a full assessment could help.
Best if you want insight and direction without committing to a full evaluation.
2. Diagnostic Clinical Assessment
3-hour interview + 30-minute follow-up | $1150 | Formal diagnosis
Uses the Cherry Adult ADHD-Autism Diagnostic Interview (Cherry AADI), designed specifically for adults.
Strengths-based and culturally responsive—considering masking, life context, and identity.
Includes:
A thorough interview (split into two sessions if needed).
A full diagnostic report with findings and recommendations.
A follow-up session to review results and plan next steps.
A superbill for potential insurance reimbursement.
Reports are typically delivered within 2–4 weeks.
Both options are designed to help you feel seen, validated, and supported—whether you’re seeking insight or a formal diagnosis.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been asking yourself, “Do I have ADHD, or am I just anxious and burnt out?”—you’re not alone. The overlap is real, and the confusion makes sense.
But you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Therapy can help you untangle the pieces, and an ADHD evaluation can offer clarity that changes how you understand yourself.
Because you’ve never been “too lazy” or “too much.” You’ve been navigating the world with real challenges—and you deserve care that fits.
If you’re ready to explore an ADHD evaluation in Miami, I’d be honored to walk with you through the process.
Looking for a therapist in Miami who specializes in helping women untangle ADHD, anxiety, and burnout?
Take your first step towards compassion, confidence, and a calmer mind.
(Florida residents only)
About the author
Nicole Mendizabal, LMFT is a licensed therapist with over 5 years of experience supporting clients in Miami, FL. She specializes in ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, anxiety, and trauma. Using EMDR, Brainspotting, ACT, and Polyvagal- and IFS-informed approaches, Nicole helps clients move beyond shame and people-pleasing, regulate their nervous systems, and build authentic relationships. Her work supports clients in living with more confidence and in alignment with what they truly want, rather than what they feel they “should” do. At Nicole Mendi Therapy, she provides compassionate, expert care across Florida, with in-person sessions available for intensives only.
