There are times in life where we all have difficulty concentrating and have a feeling of dread and overwhelm chipping away at our sanity. Sometimes it shows up as a low mood that’s persistent and can affect our performance at school or work, even making daily domestic duties feel like a Herculean task.
And sometimes what’s even harder is trying to understand why this is happening.
For some, it’s just a part of life (remember, having rough patches or experiencing sadness does not mean something is wrong with you). Whilst for others, it can be a symptom of a mental health condition or neurodivergence. It’s easy to mistake the symptoms of ADHD for the symptoms of anxiety or depression because there is often overlap or comorbidities between them.
Here at The Health Suite Leicester, we can help you arrive at the right conclusion if you’re wondering what your symptoms are and how to deal with them. Our team of mental health experts provides private mental health assessments that can give you clarity on what condition you’re facing – with accurate diagnoses and further support.
ADHD, Anxiety – Or Depression?
ADHD stands for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and it mainly hinges on being unable to maintain sustained focus such as at school or work, or even getting through daily tasks.
People with ADHD often have “time blindness” where they can be oblivious to time passing by, thus making them late to events, work, or even social gatherings. There’s also a hyperactivity aspect, where people with ADHD are unable to sit down for an extended period of time or seem fidgety. For some, this hyperactivity is not physical but mental, presenting as someone who daydreams (their imagination is on overdrive).
With ADHD, anxiety and depression can often be secondary symptoms. That’s because the ADHD can make managing one’s life difficult, and the resultant shame can induce feelings of anxiety about life, or feelings of deep sorrow.
General anxiety (often abbreviated as GAD, generalised anxiety disorder) is characterised by feelings of excessive worry about daily life, without any real cause. Sufferers often feel panicked, or feel terrified and frozen, unable to get through their day and complete necessary tasks.
Depression on the other hand is a disorder involving persistent feelings of sadness, and a loss of interest in life or activities that were once pleasurable (anhedonia). There’s also a feeling of having no hope – and feelings of worthlessness.
These conditions do have overlapping symptoms:
- Trouble focusing occurs in both ADHD and anxiety
- Low motivation can show up in both depression and ADHD
- Restlessness and sleep difficulties can show up across all three
Due to this overlap, it’s not always obvious what’s really going on, and self-diagnosis can lead to misunderstanding or missed support.
This is why seeing a professional is important – so you can get the right help for the right problem.
Understanding ADHD in Teens and Adults
It’s most often diagnosed in childhood. Yet, for those who never received a formal diagnosis at an early age, it goes undiagnosed and sometimes unnoticed until adolescence or adulthood, especially in women or individuals with inattentive (non-hyperactive) traits.
Common ADHD signs are:
- Difficulty focusing on tasks that need to be done
- Disorganisation and poor management of time
- General forgetfulness, and losing things often
- Fidgeting and restlessness
- Impulsive decision making
- Mental overwhelm
- High emotional sensitivity and mood swings
Some people interpret these symptoms as just “laziness” or lacking motivation, whereas in reality, it reflects genuine differences in how the brains of people with ADHD processes information.
At The Health Suite, we offer private ADHD assessments in Leicester – so people of all ages can better understand their experiences and access appropriate support.
Could It Be Anxiety?
ADHD isn’t strictly a mental health condition, it is in fact neurodevelopmental. Anxiety disorders on the other hand are a mental health problem and they affect how we think and feel in response to everyday situations and stress.
Symptoms of anxiety can include:
- Persistent worry or rumination, even without cause
- Physical sensations like a racing heart or sweaty palms
- Issues with relaxing or sleep disturbances
- Avoiding social situations
- Perfectionism and overthinking
- A feeling of being “on edge” much of the time
Anxiety can also interfere with focus and productivity, just like ADHD. But where ADHD often feels like “brain fog,” anxiety may show up as mental overdrive.
A thorough evaluation helps distinguish between the two, and address both, if needed.
Or Is It Depression?
It’s common, but serious.
Depression affects your mood, day-to-day functioning and how you interact with your life and the world around you. It’s not just about feeling low, it’s a prolonged state of fatigue – both physically and mentally.
Common signs of depression include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, the blues or emptiness
- Loss of interest in relationships/hobbies
- Issues concentrating/poor decision making
- Feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness
- Sleep disturbance/appetite changes
- Social withdrawal
- Hot-headedness/short temper/irritability
Whilst depression often exists by itself, it can also be comorbid with anxiety or ADHD so it’s especially important to get the right diagnosis early.
Why a Private Mental Health Appointment Can Help
For many people, getting an accurate diagnosis through the NHS involves long waiting times, especially for adult ADHD assessments – and the process itself isn’t charitable for those who have ADHD or anxiety.
At The Health Suite Leicester, we offer:
- Private ADHD screening
- Anxiety and depression evaluations
- Mental health assessments for teens and adults
- GP-led care plans with onward referral options
- 1:1 therapy and lifestyle support
You’ll be given time to share your experiences in a safe, supportive setting, with a clear focus on answers and solutions.
When To Seek an Assessment?
If you’re wondering when the right time is – please factor the following:
- You have been struggling with focus, mood, or anxiety for more than a few weeks
- You feel overwhelmed by daily activities
- You suspect you might have ADHD, anxiety, or depression but aren’t entirely sure
- You’ve tried to “push through” but it’s not improving
- You want to understand yourself or your child better
Even if you’re not in crisis, early support can prevent symptoms from worsening—and offer a clearer path forward.
Book a Private Mental Health Appointment in Leicester
Simply getting the right diagnosis is the first step towards relief, reassurance and real improvement.
Contact our team at The Health Suite today to speak with a GP or clinician about ADHD, anxiety, or depression assessments in Leicester.
We’re ready to talk when you are.
