Why Do Women Often Get Misdiagnosed with Anxiety Before ADHD?

PostedSeptember 24, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 29, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Harriet Winslow, BSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

ADHD misdiagnosed as anxiety is a common issue for women due to the overlapping symptoms between the two conditions. Many of the symptoms of ADHD, such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and emotional sensitivity, closely resemble those of anxiety. As a result, healthcare professionals may initially diagnose women with anxiety, overlooking the possibility of ADHD. This differential diagnosis challenge is particularly prominent in women, who often present with less obvious ADHD symptoms compared to men.

Women with ADHD frequently experience anxiety as a secondary issue due to the stress caused by their ADHD symptoms, such as disorganisation or forgetfulness. This can complicate the diagnosis, as it is easy to assume anxiety is the primary condition. However, ADHD misdiagnosed as anxiety can delay the proper treatment, leading to years of unnecessary mental health interventions that do not address the root cause.

Common Symptoms

Emotional Sensitivity

Women with ADHD often experience heightened emotional sensitivity, which can be mistaken for anxiety. This includes feeling overwhelmed, irritable, or overly reactive to stress, leading to an initial misdiagnosis of anxiety.

Inattention and Restlessness

Restlessness and difficulty focusing are key symptoms of ADHD, but they can also appear in anxiety disorders. Women with ADHD may find it hard to stay organised or complete tasks, symptoms which are often attributed to anxiety instead of ADHD.

A clearer understanding of the overlapping symptoms of ADHD and anxiety is vital for accurate diagnosis. By recognising the signs of both conditions, healthcare professionals can provide more effective treatment for women, addressing both ADHD and any co-existing anxiety.

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert advice tailored to your needs.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Girls and women with ADHD.

Harriet Winslow, BSc

Author

Harriet Winslow is a clinical psychologist with a Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology and extensive experience in behaviour therapy and developmental disorders. She has worked with children and adolescents with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, and behavioural challenges, providing individual and group therapy using evidence-based approaches such as CBT and DBT. Dr. Winslow has developed and implemented personalised treatment plans, conducted formal and informal assessments, and delivered crisis intervention for clients in need of urgent mental health care. Her expertise spans assessment, treatment planning, and behavioural intervention for both neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.