ADHD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder? What's the difference?

I'm being treated for Attention Deficit Disorder and I'm on Adderall. I have racing thoughts, trouble focusing, and I'm anxious constantly. Can someone tell me what it's like to have Generalized Anxiety Disorder or an anxiety problem? What the symptoms and such?

Grammar error: "What the symptoms are and such?"

The two are different. Anxiety is treated seperatley once diagnosed. People experience anxiety in different ways--some have feelings of impending doom others heart's race and sweat profusely. Adderall causes the release of norepinephrine.It has side effects that include irritability, insomnia, restlessness, headache, tremors, high heart rates, palpitations, low blood pressure, anorexia, and many others. If the anxiety is new then it may the medication causing you to feel this way. If however it was present before hand then it should be treated seperatley. Adderall is for ADHD and narcolepsy (people who can't stay awake). It provides focus and decreases fatigue.

Anxiety is individual and your symptoms may not be the same as the next persons. Anxiety for most includes higher heart rates, feeling the need to get away/escape, fearing the unknown and inhibits a way of life that is considered normal. People with severe anxiety depending on the type are hindered by the uncomfortable rush of feelings. It may be OCD which is caused by anxiety, it may be that do not leave home. It can be a number of things and is something to discuss with a doctor trained in psychology. Not a medical doctor--which I hope did not precribe the Adderral. Too many times Medical doctors are treating psychiatric patients with no bounds to do so. The average population does not know any better though.

Good luck and I hope you get relief from whatever is bothering you. Hope I helped.

an anxiety attack is very much like a full blown panic attack only more physical. what i mean is that you feel nauseated, some get sick, light headed to dizzyness, your heart races and pounds on your chest so hard you can hear it in your ears...some people experience a lound buzzing sound in their ears but believe its in their head...some collapse, pass out...an anxiety attack can come on at any time with provocation...meaning that some people have attacks when they find themselves in large crowds and some like myself it comes without warning even if you are at home just watching tv. the symptons can differ from person to person

GAD often manifests as a sense of impending doom. Heart races sometimes causing chest pain. Sufferers frequently think they are having a cardiac event.

ADHD has an attention and hyperactivity component that is a marked difference between it and Generalized Anxiety disorder. Some people with GAD, for example, can go on to become great scholastic wonders because their generalized anxiety keeps them constantly on their toes and prepared for the next day's lesson. In fact, some people with mild to moderate levels of anxiety are more successful than the general population. Conversely, if you have ADHD you have trouble focusing no matter how high (or low) your anxiety level is. In fact, you can have ADHD without any anxiety symptoms at all. People who have ADHD typically "bounce" from one topic to the next and have difficulty staying focused on one theme for very long. Also, they may not be able to sit still (in a chair, bus, airplane, etc) without feeling uncomfortable.

If you are having racing thoughts, trouble focusing, and you are constantly anxious, you probably need to be screened for a mood disorder like cyclothymia or bipolar disorder. Racing thoughts (depending on frequency or severity) may be a symptom of anxiety or a mood disorder.

Also, you may be having a reaction to Adderall and could need your dosage adjusted or medication changed entirely.

Please see a qualified mental health professional immediately.

Good Luck.

being anxious and having anxiety are totally different. Anxiety is an overwhelming feeling of fear and helplessness, often for no good reason.

You might also consider having your adderall dose looked at because it is a stimulant-even for those with ADHD if prescribed too high. Get it checked.. Ask about an SSRI to deal with anxiety and seek therapist.

You could have both. Get evaluated now and you'll feel better later.

There is no difference. Both don't exist. Get off the meds. Phfizer is stealing your money.