ADHD vs. Autism vs. Anxiety: Untangling the Web of Symptoms
If you or your child is struggling with focus, meltdowns, or social awkwardness, it can be impossible to tell where one condition ends and another begins.
At Passion Health Primary Care, we see this confusion daily. Is it ADHD (a regulation issue), Autism (a wiring difference), or Anxiety (a fear response)? Or is it the increasingly common combination of all three, often called “AuDHD”?
This guide breaks down the root causes of these behaviors to help you find the right path forward in North Texas.
1. The “Big Three” Defined
ADHD: The Search for Stimulation
ADHD is not just “hyperactivity.” It is a nervous system that craves interest and novelty.
Core Drive: The brain is seeking dopamine.
The Struggle: Regulating attention (focusing on boring things) and impulses.
Autism (ASD): The Search for Patterns
Autism is a different operating system for the brain. It prioritizes details, patterns, and sensory inputs.
Core Drive: The brain is seeking predictability and sensory safety.
The Struggle: Navigating a chaotic, loud, and unwritten social world.
Anxiety: The Search for Certainty
Anxiety is the body’s alarm system stuck in the “ON” position.
Core Drive: The brain is seeking safety from perceived threats.
The Struggle: paralyzing worry (“What if?”) that prevents action.
2. The “Why” Matters: Same Behavior, Different Cause
To diagnose correctly, we look at the motivation behind the behavior.
3. The “AuDHD” Phenomenon (When It’s Both)
In 2026, we recognize that ADHD and Autism co-occur in 50-70% of cases. This is known as AuDHD.
The Conflict: One part of your brain craves routine (Autism), while the other craves novelty (ADHD). This leads to a cycle of starting new hobbies and then burning out.
The Mask: High-functioning individuals with AuDHD often “mask” their symptoms for years, leading to severe burnout in adulthood.
4. How We Diagnose the Difference at Passion Health
Because these conditions look so similar, a 15-minute checklist isn’t enough. We use a multi-step approach at our Frisco, Plano, and Aubrey clinics.
Developmental History: We look back to age 3. (Anxiety usually develops later; ADHD and Autism are there from the start).
Sensory Profile: We assess if you are sensitive to tags on clothes, loud chewing noises, or bright lights (strong indicators of Autism/ADHD).
BrainView NeuralScan: We use objective EEG data.
ADHD: Often shows high Theta (daydreaming) waves.
Anxiety: Often shows high Beta (fast/stress) waves.
Autism: May show connectivity differences in specific brain regions.
5. Treatment Strategies
For ADHD: Stimulants or non-stimulants to regulate dopamine.
For Autism: Occupational therapy for sensory needs and accommodations (like noise-canceling headphones).
For Anxiety: CBT (Therapy) and SSRIs to lower the “alarm bells.”
For the Mix: We often treat the ADHD first. Once the “noise” of ADHD quiets down, anxiety often decreases, and autistic traits may become clearer.
Final Thoughts: Labels Are Keys, Not Cages
Understanding whether you have ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, or a mix of all three isn’t about putting you in a
box. It’s about giving you the keys to your own brain.
Confused by the overlap?
Let our neurodiversity-affirming team help you untangle the symptoms.
