Exploring the Unique Challenges and Symptoms of Anxiety in Women
Anxiety doesn’t discriminate based on gender. However, this mental health issue can sometimes look different in men and women.
When it comes to anxiety, women can be affected by a combination of hormonal and societal factors that contribute to their stress levels. Getting help starts with understanding what anxiety can look like in women.
How Biology Affects Anxiety
Women go through more marked hormonal changes than the average man. These hormonal fluctuations, caused by puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, can all contribute to the higher levels of anxiety in women than in men. For instance, during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle (which happens every month), a woman’s levels of estrogen and progesterone rise and fall.
These hormonal changes can lead to mood swings, irritability, and heightened sensitivity to stress, all of which can make anxiety worse. Pregnancy and postpartum, which a woman may experience only once or a few times in her life, have even greater hormonal shifts that can lead to mental health issues like postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.
Anxiety and Social Expectations
Beyond biology, social and cultural factors have a big influence on how women experience anxiety. Women are often socialized to be more nurturing and empathetic, which can lead to taking on excessive emotional labor. They may feel responsible for managing not only their own emotions but also the emotions of their family, people at work, or even strangers. When a woman puts everyone’s needs above her own, she’s more likely to develop chronic stress and anxiety.
These expectations and gender roles often pressure women to meet high standards in multiple areas of life. Women are supposed to have a certain career, keep a perfect family and household, always look put together, and have an active social life. In particular, the pressure to conform to society’s beauty standards can take a huge toll on a woman’s mental health.
The constant juggling of these roles can lead to feelings of inadequacy, overwhelm, and ultimately, anxiety. The stigma that still exists around mental health, particularly the idea that women (especially mothers) should be emotionally resilient and able to “handle it all,” can also discourage women from seeking help.
Symptoms of Anxiety in Women
Anxiety symptoms can be broken down into physical and emotional symptoms. Typically, women will engage in avoidance behaviors to curb feelings of anxiety. This means they’ll avoid social situations, work responsibilities, or other activities that trigger their anxiety. Often, women will make note of their physical symptoms more than their emotional ones. This means they’re more likely to see a doctor for their issues rather than a mental health professional.
Bodily symptoms of anxiety include:
Headaches
Fatigue
Nausea
Reduced Appetite
Insomnia
Hot Flashes
Chest Pains
Heart Palpitations
Muscle Aches and Tension
Hives and Rashes
Sweating
Trembling
Emotional symptoms of anxiety in women include:
Feelings of Dread or Impending Doom
Obsessive Thoughts
Feelings of Sadness
Irritability
Catastrophizing
Difficulty Concentrating
Restlessness
Getting Help
Whether you’ve been experiencing physical or emotional symptoms of anxiety, if they’re impacting your daily life it’s time to seek help. Talk to a licensed mental health professional who can evaluate your symptoms. Your treatment plan may include a combination of medication and therapy. There are many therapeutic approaches to treating anxiety, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
In therapy, you’ll learn how to cope with stress, set reasonable, healthy boundaries, and challenge your negative thought patterns. You’ll also learn to recognize your feelings and understand their connection to your body.
To find out more about how therapy can help women with anxiety, please reach out and schedule an appointment.
