What Are Common Symptoms of Anxiety in Women?
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in men, women, and children.
In ancient times, our ancestors developed anxiety as a means to keep them alive. Now known as the flight-or-fight response, they could either choose to stay and fight through the danger. Or, they could flee from it. It was a response system that would keep them alive.
Now, this response isn't exactly needed as we don't regularly face life-or-death situations in our everyday lives. But, our bodies have remembered and held on to this response system. We now call this response to danger, real or not, anxiety.
Symptoms of Anxiety In Women
First, let's go over a few things. Symptoms of anxiety, regardless of gender, are essentially the same between men and women. However, women are more likely to experience symptoms than a man would.
Mental Symptoms Of Anxiety For Women
Insomnia
Fatigue
Extreme stress
Intense fears
Intrusive or obsessive thoughts
Excessively worrying about the future
Physical Symptoms Of Anxiety For Women
Headaches
Stomach aches
Changes in appetite
Hot flashes
Muscle tension
Racing heart
Dizziness
Why Do Women Experience Anxiety More?
Don't get us wrong, men experience anxiety too. For women, though, they are often juggling more responsibilities than a man will. For instance, historically speaking, women are often seen as the caregivers of a family. They are the ones who are largely left with the responsibility of attending to their family's needs. From getting the kids ready for school, and running them around to school events and to their friend's houses.
In addition, women are often the ones who are attending to household duties such as cooking, cleaning, and shopping for groceries and essential items.
Then there are areas of life that cause every woman to feel more anxious. They often need to pay attention to their surroundings, listen carefully, and not be distracted. As a woman, it is often scary to be alone for a walk or to run errands by yourself at night.
Women juggle a lot and for this reason, anxiety can be more intense.
Also, women deal with more hormones than their male counterparts. Hormones play a huge role in anxiety being kept at bay or running rampant. Serotonin, which is a feel-good endorphin, is shown by evidence to be processed better by the male brain. Making it essentially harder for women to really get the full benefit of it.
How To Cope With Anxiety
As a woman, the last thing you want to deal with is an anxiety disorder on top of everything else. While it is challenging to deal with, anxiety does not have to control you. Many women are able to find balance in their everyday lives so they aren't crippled by excessive stress and worries.
Grounding Techniques
When your mind begins to stress about life, you can find ways to counteract these thoughts. One effective grounding technique for many women is to use the five senses. Follow these steps:
Identify 5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can touch
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
By the time you follow these steps, you will have spent enough time away from the anxious thoughts to distract yourself.
Mindfulness Techniques
These can also ground you in the present. Yoga, meditation, and journaling are all fantastic ways to help release the thoughts that are running rampant and ease the tension that has built up in your body. Plus, in general, they are fantastic ways to relax.
If you are struggling with anxiety, therapy for women can help. At our practice, we understand how anxiety can control your life because we are women also. Reach out to us when you are ready to learn more about our services.
