ANXIETY DISORDERS IN ADULTS WITH ADHD

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders often coexist in the adult population, generating significant impacts on the functionality and quality of life of individuals. This study conducts a narrative review of the literature to investigate the relationship between these conditions, highlighting the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, diagnostic challenges, and clinical implications. The findings suggest that structural alterations in the amygdala, hippocampus, and orbitofrontal cortex are associated with greater vulnerability to anxiety in individuals with ADHD, possibly mediated by dopaminergic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulations. The concomitant presence of anxiety contributes to greater cognitive difficulties, including deficits in working memory and inhibition of impulsive responses, impairing academic, professional, and social performance. The differential diagnosis between ADHD and anxiety disorders remains a challenge due to the symptomatological overlap, making it difficult to accurately identify both conditions. Treatment should be individualized, encompassing pharmacological interventions, such as stimulants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and nonpharmacologic therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based approaches. The combination of therapeutic strategies shows promise to mitigate the negative impacts of comorbidity between ADHD and anxiety, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and effective interventions to improve clinical prognosis.