ADHD, anxiety and low mood: recognising when you need support

It can be difficult to explain what is wrong when problems with attention, worry and low mood arrive together. You might be wondering whether to mention them at an ADHD appointment, speak to your GP separately, or wait until you understand them better. You can begin with what you are experiencing; you do not need to arrive with an explanation.

ADHD and mental health difficulties can coexist. Having one does not make the other less important, and support for your mental health matters whether you already have an ADHD diagnosis or are awaiting assessment.¹

Key points

Describe changes in mood and worry as well as difficulties with attention.
You can seek support while waiting for an ADHD assessment.
A treatment discussion should consider your circumstances and preferences.
If you cannot keep yourself safe, seek urgent help immediately.

What can anxiety feel like?

Anxiety is more than a thought such as “I am worried”. Generalised anxiety disorder can involve worry that is difficult to control and affects everyday life, together with tension, irritability, sleep problems, tiredness or trouble concentrating. Physical symptoms can include stomach problems or a noticeable heartbeat. Feeling anxious sometimes does not automatically mean you have an anxiety disorder.²

Questions to reflect on: rather than trying to choose a label, describe a recent situation. What were you worried about? How long did it occupy your attention? Did you avoid something, repeatedly check it, or lose sleep? These questions can help you prepare for a conversation. You can also explain what you were able to do despite feeling anxious.

How is low mood different from depression?

Depression can involve persistent sadness, hopelessness or losing interest in things you previously enjoyed. It may also affect appetite, energy, sleep, decisions and social contact. People do not all experience the same symptoms. Clinicians consider their duration, frequency, severity and effect on daily life, rather than relying on one symptom in isolation.³

The NHS advises seeing a GP if low mood has lasted more than two weeks, you are struggling to cope, or things you have tried are not helping. Two weeks is not a rule that prevents you from asking sooner. There is no need to wait for symptoms to become severe before raising a concern.⁴

Describe the pattern, not just the hardest moment

Preparing for an appointment: a short note can give the conversation a starting point. Divide a page into “usual for me”, “different recently” and “what I need help with”. You could include:

When you first noticed a change, and whether it varies across the week.
What happens to sleep, meals, work, study or time with other people.
Any recent changes to medicines, health, responsibilities or circumstances.
What you have tried, what felt manageable and what was difficult.
The concern you most want the appointment to address.

If you are unsure when something began, say so. Approximate dates and ordinary examples are enough to start. You do not need to monitor every feeling or complete a diary before seeking help. If writing feels difficult, a few words in a phone note or asking someone you trust to help prepare may be more manageable.

For example, you could say: “I usually struggle with organisation, but recently I have also stopped enjoying things. I would like help understanding that change.”

What support might be discussed?

For anxiety, treatment can include talking therapy, often cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and sometimes prescribed medicines or specialist support. What is appropriate needs individual assessment.²

Depression treatment can include supported self-help, talking therapies and medicines. Options depend on the type and severity of depression and the person's situation. More severe depression may be treated with a combination of approaches. There is no single treatment plan that everyone with ADHD and low mood should follow.⁵

CBT involves working with a therapist on difficult situations and the connections between thoughts, feelings and actions. There may be practice between sessions. It can be delivered individually, in groups or through guided self-help, including online formats.⁶

Questions to ask: “What are we aiming to improve?”, “How will we know whether this is helping?” and “How will this fit with my ADHD care?” If remembering appointments or between-session tasks is difficult, ask whether you could have a brief written summary, clearer steps or reminders. These are requests to discuss with the service; availability will vary.

Finding the right route to help

In England, adults can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without an existing mental health diagnosis. The service will consider whether it can help and explain the next steps. Your GP can advise if you are unsure which service fits your needs. This self-referral information is specific to England; elsewhere, ask your GP or local NHS service about available routes.⁷

You could try: at the end of a consultation, ask who is arranging the next step, who you should contact if you have not heard, and what to do if things worsen. Write the answers somewhere easy to find. This is particularly useful when more than one service is involved.

If you need help urgently

If someone's life is at risk, or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E now. In England, for urgent mental health help without an immediate threat to life, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or request an urgent GP appointment. Do not wait for a routine ADHD appointment.⁸

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to wait for my ADHD assessment?

No. You can seek help for your mental health while waiting. When contacting a service, explain both the immediate concern and that an ADHD assessment is pending.¹

Does difficulty concentrating prove that I have anxiety or depression?

No. Concentration problems appear in descriptions of both conditions, but one symptom does not establish either diagnosis. Tell the clinician about the wider pattern and its impact.²;³

What if I cannot explain my feelings clearly?

You could try: start with one recent change or bring your short note. “I am finding this hard to explain” is a useful opening. Ask for a question to be repeated or broken into smaller parts if needed.

Can I refer myself for talking therapy?

Adults in England can use the NHS self-referral route. The service assesses suitability; a referral does not guarantee a particular therapy or start date.⁷

What if support is not helping?

Raise this with the clinician rather than assuming you must simply continue without review. The NHS advises returning for help when anxiety treatment is not working. You could explain: explain what has changed, what remains difficult and any barriers to following the plan.²

What this information can and cannot tell you

These sources describe common symptoms and routes to care. They cannot determine the cause of an individual's difficulties or which treatment should come first. The suggested questions can help you prepare for a conversation; they do not replace an assessment.