Anxiety in Teenage Girls
- Kylie Donnolley
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Signs, causes, and support for Australian parents
If you have found yourself thinking, “My daughter seems fine, but something feels off,” you are not alone.
Anxiety in teenage girls can be easy to miss. Many girls continue to function at school, keep smiling socially, and say “I’m fine,” while internally feeling overwhelmed, tense, and constantly on edge.
This guide will help you understand common signs of anxiety in teen girls, what may be contributing, practical ways to support your teen at home, and when to seek extra help in Australia.
This article is general information and does not replace individual assessment or therapy.
Quick signs checklist: What anxiety can look like in teenage girls
Every teenager worries at times. Anxiety becomes more concerning when it is persistent, intense, or begins to interfere with school, friendships, sleep, family life, or confidence.
Here are some common signs parents notice.
Emotional signs
Teen girls experiencing anxiety may seem more tearful, irritable, or emotionally shut down. They may express feeling overwhelmed, worried about disappointing others, or very self critical. Some girls describe feeling like they are “never good enough” or that they cannot cope, even when things appear fine externally.
Thinking signs
You may notice constant overthinking, replaying conversations, or needing frequent reassurance. Perfectionistic thinking is common, along with fears of getting things wrong or being judged. Thoughts may become very rigid or catastrophic.
Behaviour signs
Anxiety often shows up in avoidance. This can include avoiding school, sport, social events, presentations, or new experiences. Some girls procrastinate and then panic, while others over prepare and recheck repeatedly. You might also see increased withdrawal, more time spent alone or scrolling, and more conflict at home, particularly around school routines.
Physical signs
Anxiety frequently shows up in the body. Common symptoms include a racing heart, dizziness, sweating, headaches, muscle tension, nausea, or stomach aches. Sleep can be disrupted, with difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, or feeling exhausted despite adequate time in bed.
If physical symptoms are new, sudden, or concerning, it is important to check in with your GP.
“She looks fine”: high-functioning anxiety in teen girls
Some teen girls continue to perform well while struggling internally. They may keep their grades up, maintain commitments, and appear socially okay, while feeling constantly tense, pressured, or afraid of failing.
This pattern is common in conscientious, caring, high achieving girls and often sits alongside perfectionism, people pleasing, and strong self pressure.
Anxiety is not always obvious behaviour. Sometimes it is the hidden cost of coping.
What might be contributing to anxiety in teenage girls
Anxiety rarely has a single cause. It usually develops from a combination of temperament, stress, developmental change, and environment.
School pressure and performance stress
Many teens feel significant pressure to achieve, meet expectations, and perform consistently across academic and extracurricular areas. Even capable students can feel overwhelmed by the fear of falling behind or letting others down.
Friendships, belonging, and social comparison
Friendships during adolescence are emotionally intense. Conflict, exclusion, or uncertainty about belonging can create ongoing worry and self doubt.
Social media and constant comparison
Social media can amplify appearance pressure, comparison, and fear of missing out. It can also increase exposure to conflict, criticism, or unrealistic standards.
Puberty, identity, and sensitivity
Hormonal changes and identity development can heighten emotional reactivity, self consciousness, and sensitivity to stress.
Sleep disruption
Anxiety disrupts sleep, and poor sleep increases anxiety. This cycle is very common in teen girls.
Perfectionism and fear of failure
Perfectionism often looks like motivation on the surface, but underneath it is usually driven by fear. Fear of mistakes, fear of disappointing others, or fear that being imperfect means being unworthy.
How to support your teen at home without making it worse
Many parents feel caught between wanting to help, not wanting to overreact, and not wanting to push their teen away.
These approaches tend to be helpful starting points.
Start with connection, not correction
When anxiety is high, teens need safety more than solutions. Try statements such as: “I’ve noticed you seem more stressed lately. I’m here.” “You don’t have to carry this on your own.” “Do you want advice, or do you want me to listen first?”
Name what you see gently and specifically
Instead of saying “You’re anxious,” try: “I’ve noticed you’re finding it hard to sleep.”
“You seem really tense before school.” “You’ve been avoiding training lately.”
Specific observations reduce shame and defensiveness.
Reduce the reassurance trap
Repeated reassurance can ease anxiety briefly but can increase dependence over time. A balanced approach is to acknowledge feelings, offer steady reassurance once, and then support coping. For example: “I can hear you’re worried. That makes sense.”
“I believe you can handle this, and I’ll support you.”
“What’s the next small step?”
Help her shrink the problem
Anxiety makes everything feel big. Help your teen focus on the next small, doable step. “What’s the first tiny part of this?”
“What do you need to do for the next ten minutes only?”
Support nervous system regulation
Simple body based strategies can be very effective. These might include a short walk, stretching, a warm shower, eating regularly, slow breathing with a longer exhale, or grounding by naming what can be seen or felt.
Collaborate on phone and sleep boundaries
If screens or late nights are increasing distress, aim for collaboration rather than control. Explore together what feels fair and supportive, and problem solve how to stick to it.
When it may be time to seek professional support
It may be helpful to speak with a GP or psychologist if anxiety lasts for weeks without easing, interferes with daily functioning, leads to avoidance, panic like symptoms, or significant distress, or affects family relationships.
A GP can help rule out physical contributors and discuss referral pathways. Psychologists support teens using evidence based approaches to build coping skills, confidence, and emotional regulation.
How a psychologist can help an anxious teen girl
Therapy is not about fixing your child. It focuses on helping her understand what is happening in her body and mind, develop skills to manage worry and overwhelm, reduce self criticism and perfectionism, and build confidence in coping with challenges.
With consent, psychologists can also collaborate with families and schools to support wellbeing and learning needs.
When to seek urgent help
If your teen is at immediate risk of harm, seek urgent support. In Australia this includes contacting emergency services on 000, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
If you are unsure about the level of risk, your GP or local emergency department can also help guide next steps.
Helpful Australian resources
Healthdirect Australia provides clear information about anxiety in teenagers.
ReachOut Parents offers guidance on supporting anxious teens.
Kids Helpline supports young people aged 5 to 25.
Frequently asked questions
What are common signs of anxiety in teen girls?
Common signs include persistent worry, avoidance, irritability, sleep difficulties, physical symptoms, and changes in school or social engagement.
Is anxiety normal in teenagers?
Some anxiety is normal, especially during developmental changes and stressful periods. It becomes more concerning when it is intense, persistent, or interferes with daily life.
Can anxiety look like anger or moodiness?
Yes. Anxiety often presents as irritability, shutdowns, or emotional outbursts, particularly when a teen feels overwhelmed.
Should I see a GP first?
A GP is a good starting point, especially if there are physical symptoms, sudden changes, or uncertainty about what is happening.
What if my teen copes at school but falls apart at home?
This can still indicate that coping is costing her. High functioning anxiety often shows up most clearly at home, where it feels safest to release tension.
A small next step
If anxiety is ongoing, you do not have to manage it alone. Speaking with your GP, a psychologist, or school wellbeing staff can help clarify next steps and support your teen’s wellbeing.
Parent Signs and First Conversation Checklist
Supporting an anxious teenage girl
This checklist is for reflection and support only. It is not a diagnostic tool.
Signs to notice
You may notice:
Increased worry, overthinking, or fear of making mistakes
Irritability, tearfulness, or emotional shutdown
Avoidance of school, social events, or activities she previously enjoyed
Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
Physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches
Increased reassurance seeking or self criticism
High pressure to perform or be perfect
One sign alone may not be concerning. A pattern over time is more important.
Preparing for the first conversation
Before you talk:
Choose a calm, low pressure moment
Aim to listen more than fix
Remind yourself that anxiety is not a choice
Let go of needing the “right words”
How to start the conversation
You might say: “I’ve noticed you seem more stressed lately and I wanted to check in.”
“I don’t need you to explain everything. I just want you to know I’m here.”
“You’re not in trouble. This is about support.”
While you’re talking
Stay curious rather than corrective
Reflect what you hear: “That sounds really heavy.”
Avoid minimising or rushing to solutions
Ask if she wants advice or just listening
What helps
Naming anxiety as something that can be worked with
Focusing on one small step at a time
Reassuring her that support is available
Letting her know she is not a burden
When to consider extra support
Anxiety is persistent or worsening
It affects school, friendships, or family life
She is avoiding more and more
There are concerns about safety
Talking to a GP or psychologist can help clarify what support might be helpful.