The Overlooked Link Between ADHD and Anxiety in Girls
A groundbreaking study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is shedding new light on an often invisible struggle: girls with inattentive-type ADHD are significantly more likely to develop anxiety during adolescence.
This discovery doesn’t just inform academic theory—it has real implications for how we recognize and support girls who may be silently battling focus, worry, and emotional overwhelm.
Did You Know?
Girls with ADHD are at higher risk for anxiety—but often go undiagnosed. Here’s why:
Girls with ADHD are often misdiagnosed due to their quiet, daydreamy presentation.
Inattentive-type ADHD is more common in girls—and often missed until adolescence.
New research shows inattention leads to anxiety in girls, not boys.
Anxiety and inattention reinforce each other in girls, creating a worsening cycle.
Many girls are labeled as “shy” or “lazy” when they’re actually struggling with undiagnosed ADHD.
Early detection—before age 12—can prevent years of emotional and academic challenges.
A Different ADHD Experience
While ADHD is commonly associated with hyperactivity and impulsiveness—traits typically observed in boys—many girls exhibit a quieter version. These symptoms often include:
Daydreaming and zoning out
Disorganization
Forgetfulness
Low self-esteem
Emotional sensitivity
Because they rarely cause disruptions, girls with ADHD are frequently overlooked. Their behavior is chalked up to personality quirks or moodiness rather than an underlying neurodevelopmental difference.
“Girls with ADHD aren’t disruptive—they’re overlooked.”
Inattention and Anxiety: A Two-Way Street
The NTNU study found a reciprocal relationship between inattention and anxiety in girls. In early childhood, inattentive symptoms predicted the development of anxiety later in adolescence. Conversely, anxiety in early adolescence increased the severity of inattention as girls aged.
This cycle did not appear in boys. In their case, hyperactivity was the more predictive factor for future anxiety—not inattention.
“Inattentive ADHD symptoms are often the first sign of anxiety to come.”
Why Early Detection Matters
Anxiety rates rise sharply in girls around age 12. NTNU researchers suggest that identifying inattention as early as age 8 can help mitigate or even prevent the onset of anxiety.
Yet many girls don’t receive an ADHD diagnosis until much later—if at all—meaning key windows for support are missed.
“What looks like daydreaming may be an early warning sign.”
Looking Ahead
This study provides compelling evidence that our approach to diagnosing and supporting ADHD must evolve to be more inclusive of gender differences. For girls, inattention isn’t just a symptom—it may be a signal for deeper mental health risks to come.
Let’s change the way we see these quiet struggles. The sooner we identify them, the better chance we have of building confidence, resilience, and lasting well-being in the students who need it most.
Need more insight on this topic?
Read the original study summary and insights here
