ADHD and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection in Children

Many parents know that ADHD and anxiety can show up together in kids, but how are they connected?

A new study followed children from preschool through their teenage years and found that the link between ADHD and anxiety actually works differently in boys and girls.

Understanding this can help parents know what to watch for and when to seek support.

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What the Study Looked At

Researchers in Norway followed over 1,000 kids (nearly half were girls) from ages 4 to 16.

Every two years, they checked in on the children’s attention levels, activity levels, and anxiety symptoms.

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They were especially curious about two types of ADHD symptoms:

• Inattention: trouble staying focused, getting easily distracted
• Hyperactivity-Impulsivity: being overly active, acting without thinking

ADHD and Anxiety: What They Found

For Girls

• Girls who showed more signs of inattention (like being distracted or forgetful) were more likely to develop anxiety later on.
• The reverse was also true — girls who felt anxious in early adolescence were more likely to struggle with attention problems as teens.
• However, hyperactivity wasn’t strongly linked to anxiety in girls.

For Boys

• Boys with more hyperactive or impulsive behavior at ages 6-8 were more likely to develop anxiety later.
• Inattention didn’t predict anxiety in boys, and anxiety didn’t seem to affect later ADHD symptoms.

What This Means for Parents

These findings suggest boys and girls may need different kinds of support:

If you’re raising a girl with signs of inattention — like zoning out or being easily distracted — it may help to offer extra support early on to lower her risk of developing anxiety as she gets older.

If your son tends to be very hyper or impulsive during the early school years, helping him manage those behaviors could reduce his chances of dealing with anxiety later.

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Also, for girls, treating anxiety during the tween and teen years may help prevent growing problems with attention.

Final Thoughts on ADHD and Anxiety in Children

This study shows that ADHD and anxiety can be connected in ways that change with age — and with gender.

Knowing how these patterns work can help parents, teachers, and doctors better support children as they grow.

Want to explore the full 2025 research? Read it here: Link to Study

More Recommended Reading:

• Book: The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
• Understanding ADHD in Children
• ADHD support for parents
• What is the Difference Between ADHD & Sensory Integration
• ADHD Books for Kids To Teens
• How to help a child with ADHD by talking to them in a different way
• Families with a child with ADHD can benefit from mindfulness