Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Your Anxiety Toolkit - Practical Skills for Anxiety, Panic & Depression
Episode: 464 – Anxiety vs. ADHD: Are You Misdiagnosing Yourself? (with Kati Morton)
Date: December 17, 2025
Host: Kimberley Quinlan, LMFT
Guest: Kati Morton (Licensed Therapist & Mental Health Educator)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kimberley Quinlan invites Kati Morton to explore the nuanced differences, overlaps, and potential for misdiagnosis between anxiety disorders and ADHD. The conversation is rich with clear explanations, actionable advice, and thoughtful validation, aiming to help listeners better understand their own experiences and seek appropriate support.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Overlap Between Anxiety and ADHD

[02:08 – 03:44]

• Both anxiety and ADHD share many symptoms, such as restlessness, fidgetiness, and lack of focus.
• The key difference: the underlying driver of these symptoms. Is it anxiety-driven rumination, or ADHD-driven dopamine seeking?
  • "It's not really about that. It's like, am I unfocused because there's other things I want to think about that are more exciting... or is it because I'm so stressed and worried and my brain is spiraling out?" — Kati Morton [02:40]

2. Symptoms & Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD

[05:54 – 09:15]

• ADHD is now an umbrella term (ADD and ADHD distinctions have merged).
• Symptoms fall under two main categories:
  • Hyperactivity: External restlessness, trouble sitting still, impulsiveness.
  • Inattention: Difficulty focusing, poor recall, "time blindness," hyperfocus on enjoyable tasks.
• For diagnosis:
  • Symptoms must be present most days for at least six months.
  • Children: 6 symptoms, Adults: 5 symptoms (clarified at [30:05])
• Importance of seeing a qualified specialist for assessment; general therapists may not be trained for nuanced ADHD evaluation.

3. The Role of Impulsivity & Emotional Dysregulation

[10:09 – 13:15]

• ADHD brains are “dopamine seekers,” leading to impulsive behaviors (e.g., binge eating, spending, risky activities).
• Lack of fulfillment leads to frustration and dysregulation.
• Unchecked ADHD can result in depression, anxiety, and heightened suicidality—often due to long-term dissatisfaction and impulsivity.
  • "We can do these things because they feel good in the moment. We don't think long-term when we're in an ADHD brain." — Kati Morton [10:29]

4. Differentiating ADHD, Anxiety, and OCD

[14:48 – 18:22]

• Outward behaviors (restlessness, urgency) look similar, but internal motivations differ.
• With OCD:
  • Thoughts are intrusive, repetitive, ego-dystonic (not in line with values), and bring marked discomfort.
  • Urgency is about relieving anxiety.
  • ADHD thoughts seek stimulation, rarely building the same intense discomfort as OCD.
  • "The intrusive thoughts feel out of their control... Usually not in line with their values." — Kimberley Quinlan [16:32]
  • "For someone with ADHD, that feeling doesn't really go away. It only goes away through hyperfocus, usually." — Kati Morton [17:42]

5. Sensory Experiences & Fidgeting

[18:22 – 21:23]

• Sensory tools (fidget toys, alternative seating) may benefit ADHD due to the need for stimulation, but the driver varies:
  • Anxiety: Fidgets as anxiety outlets.
  • ADHD: Fidgets as a means to combat internal discomfort from lack of stimulation.
  • Autism: Fidgets as sensory regulation.
  • "For ADHD, it feels so uncomfortable internally, like, we jump out of our skin. I can't be here anymore." — Kati Morton [20:14]

6. How and Where to Get Assessed

[21:25 – 22:58]

• Seek out psychologists or professionals specializing in neurodevelopmental assessments—general therapists (including LMFTs like Kimberley) may not be trained in ADHD tools.
• Self-assessments are not a substitute for professional diagnosis.

7. Treatment Approaches

[22:58 – 28:41]

• ADHD:
  • Gold-standard: Stimulant medications (e.g., Ritalin, Vyvanse), pending individual medical considerations (e.g., history of addiction, eating disorder).
  • Non-medication approaches: Structure environments for success; employ "body doubling" (study/work with someone to encourage focus).
  • Use small, frequent rewards and regular exercise to create “focus windows.”
    • "What can we do to work with our brain? ...setting up these little rewards for doing X, Y, or Z." — Kati Morton [24:35]
• Anxiety:
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and various forms of CBT are discussed as standards.
• Not all ADHD tools work for anxiety, and vice versa (rewards and environmental manipulation are not effective for pure anxiety).
  • For ADHD, meditation is generally not recommended based on Kati’s clinical experience.

8. Listener Q&A:

[30:17 – 39:29]

• Should you get anxiety under control before ADHD screening?

  • Kati disagrees with this approach; proper assessments can discern between the two even with symptom overlap. Seek a second opinion if necessary.

• Procrastination in ADHD vs. Anxiety:

  • ADHD: Procrastination is driven by low-stimulation, getting distracted, or lack of enjoyment (often unintentional).
  • Anxiety: Driven by avoidance of uncomfortable feelings or feared consequences (intentional, often with awareness).
    • "Someone with ADHD does not mean to put things off. It's essentially not enjoyable enough and they get distracted." — Kati Morton [32:49]

• ADHD in Girls vs. Boys:

  • Girls/women often mask symptoms and are diagnosed later.
  • In girls, symptoms tend to be internalized, leading to missed or late diagnosis despite academic competence.
    • "Women tend to not have the hyperactivity component as much as men, so it's more internal... they're just using every little last bit of energy." — Kati Morton [35:00]

• Comorbid Anxiety & ADHD:

  • Treatment should be tailored: medication, adapting environments, and developing symptom-management toolkits for both conditions.
    • "It's about finding the right team... The best way to treat ADHD is obviously to work with your brain, potentially medication, and anxiety is potentially medication as well." — Kati Morton [37:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It's all about what is driving that symptom—the crux of the difference between ADHD and anxiety is the driver." — Kati Morton [02:35]
• "If your brain is pinging around [thinking about exciting things], to me, I'm like, oh, ADHD, ADHD. It's trying to get that dopamine." — Kati Morton [05:07]
• "With ADHD, we don't think long-term. It's about feeling better now." — Kati Morton [10:29]
• "For those folks, the intrusive thoughts feel out of their control. They're intrusive and repetitive and usually not in line with their values." — Kimberley Quinlan [16:32]
• "The best way to treat ADHD is, obviously, to work with your brain, potentially medication... understand the symptoms that are most harmful or upsetting to you." — Kati Morton [37:26]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Differences and Overlap Between Symptoms: [02:08 – 05:54]
• ADHD Symptom Checklist & Diagnostics: [05:54 – 09:15], [30:05 clarification]
• Impulsivity, Dysregulation, & Suicidality: [10:09 – 13:15], [14:33 – 14:48]
• OCD vs. ADHD Thought Patterns: [16:04 – 18:22]
• Sensory Experience & Stimming: [18:22 – 21:23]
• Assessment Guidance: [21:25 – 22:58]
• Treatment Strategies: [22:58 – 28:41]
• Procrastination Differences: [32:00 – 34:17]
• Gender Differences in Diagnosis: [34:44 – 36:44]
• Treatment for Comorbid ADHD & Anxiety: [37:26 – 39:29]

Conclusion & Resources

• ADHD and anxiety frequently co-occur and can easily be confused due to overlapping symptoms. The difference lies in the underlying motivations: dopamine-seeking (ADHD) vs. avoidance/relief seeking (anxiety).
• Accurate diagnosis requires specialized assessment; don't rely solely on online tests or general therapists for ADHD evaluations.
• Treatment is individualized—what soothes one may not help another, especially when both diagnoses are present.
• Connect with Kati Morton: Find her on social media (@KatiMorton) or look for her new book, Why Do I Keep Doing This? (out December 9th).

A beautiful life is possible—even with anxiety and ADHD. Be curious, be kind with yourself, and find the right support.