How Can Parents Differentiate Between ADHD and Anxiety in Girls at School?

PostedSeptember 24, 2025

UpdatedSeptember 29, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

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

ADHD vs anxiety girls can be difficult to differentiate, especially when symptoms overlap in a school setting. Both conditions can affect school performance, making it challenging for parents to understand whether their child is struggling with ADHD, anxiety, or both. The key to distinguishing between the two is to focus on the specific symptoms and their impact on the child’s behaviour and emotional responses.

Girls with ADHD may struggle with classroom behaviour such as difficulty staying focused, forgetfulness, and disorganisation. These symptoms often appear consistently, regardless of the situation. In contrast, anxiety can lead to emotional symptoms like excessive worry, fear of failure, or avoidance of school-related tasks. While both conditions can affect schoolwork, anxiety often results in physical symptoms, like stomachaches or headaches, due to stress.

Common Symptoms

Inattention vs Excessive Worry

ADHD vs anxiety girls can be distinguished by their responses to stress. Girls with ADHD may appear distracted or unable to focus, whereas anxious girls may be fixated on the potential for failure or making mistakes, which hinders their ability to start or complete tasks.

Emotional Sensitivity and Avoidance

Girls with anxiety tend to avoid situations that trigger fear, while girls with ADHD may act impulsively or struggle to control their emotions in response to frustration or overstimulation in the classroom.

Misdiagnosis can complicate the situation, so understanding the differences between ADHD vs anxiety girls can help parents better support their children and seek the appropriate interventions to address their specific needs.

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.