Similar difficulties, different causes.
Anxiety, depression, burnout, poor sleep and physical health can all affect attention. How they overlap with ADHD and how they are told apart.
Difficulty concentrating is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Understanding the other possibilities is part of taking the question seriously.
By Dr Jaspreet Saini. Last reviewed 2026-10-16
Common overlaps
Anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma-related difficulties and sleep disorders can each affect focus, memory and motivation. Thyroid problems, iron deficiency, menopause, some medicines and alcohol can too.
These conditions also commonly occur alongside ADHD. Finding one does not rule out the other.
How they are told apart
Timing matters most. ADHD is present from childhood and fairly consistent across life. Other causes tend to have a clearer beginning and change with circumstances. A thorough assessment asks about all of them.
Further reading
- ADHD, anxiety, burnout or poor sleep: how do you tell the difference?
Trouble concentrating has many causes. How clinicians separate ADHD from anxiety, burnout and sleep problems, and why they often overlap.
- What if an ADHD assessment finds that you don't have ADHD?
A careful assessment can conclude it is not ADHD. What that outcome means, what it can still offer, and how to take the next step.
This page is general information, not personal medical advice.