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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryAnxiety in Women: A Closer Look
Table of Contents:OverviewSymptoms of Anxiety in WomenDifferent Types of Anxiety Women ExperienceHow Anxiety Differs in WomenFind a Therapist Who Specializes in Anxiety Symptoms in Women
Anxiety DisorderRead Time: 5 Minutes
Published On: May 24, 2022
Reviewed On: May 24, 2022
Updated On: May 21, 2024
OverviewAnxiety can cause emotional and physical responses among both genders. The difference between genders is that women tend to experience these symptoms more often than men.The differences lie in how women tend to express and process these anxiety symptoms, and how they often focus their anxiety on certain issues more than men. There are also genetic, biological and neurological differences that make womenmore likelyto develop anxiety and experience these common symptoms more frequently. Read on to learn more about anxiety in women.
Overview
Anxiety can cause emotional and physical responses among both genders. The difference between genders is that women tend to experience these symptoms more often than men.
The differences lie in how women tend to express and process these anxiety symptoms, and how they often focus their anxiety on certain issues more than men. There are also genetic, biological and neurological differences that make womenmore likelyto develop anxiety and experience these common symptoms more frequently. Read on to learn more about anxiety in women.
Symptoms of Anxiety in WomenSome emotional symptoms of anxiety in women include:Thoughts about everything that can go wrong or something that might be wrong alreadyObsessive thoughtsInsomnia (sometimes a result of the thoughts)Chronic fatigueBecoming stressed quickly and easilySudden fear of death, embarrassment, illness, etc.Fight-or-flight responses to something that can’t cause physical harmRepeating ritual behaviors more than necessary (checking locks, grooming, etc.)Physical symptoms of anxiety in women include:SweatingTremblingHeart palpitationsShortness of breathDizzinessNauseaChanges in appetiteChest painFeeling like you’re chokingNumbnessChillsHot flashesMuscles tension or tighteningMuscle achesHeadachesHairs standing upHives and rashes
Symptoms of Anxiety in Women
Some emotional symptoms of anxiety in women include:
Physical symptoms of anxiety in women include:
Online therapy for anxiety
Different Types of Anxiety Women Experience
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Women withgeneralized anxiety disorderfind themselves in a persistent state of worry over everyday matters, often anticipating disaster. Thisexcessive fearextends to daily activities and responsibilities, withphysical symptomslike fatigue, tension, and sleep disturbances amplifying their distress. Hormonal fluctuations and societal pressures to manage multiple roles can exacerbate GAD in women.
Panic disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Women are more likely to develop thismental health conditionfollowing exposure to traumatic events, with sexual assault and domestic violence being significant triggers. Symptoms include flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and severe anxiety, reflecting the lasting impact of trauma on women’smental health.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
Social anxiety disorder
Prenatal and postpartum anxiety
Although pregnancy is thought to be a joyous and euphoric time, many women experience prenatal anxiety. This can often carry on into postpartum anxiety as well.Hormonal changes, along with the psychological and physical adjustments to motherhood, can cause this type of anxiety. Symptoms may mirror those ofgeneralized anxiety disorderbut are deeply intertwined with concerns about pregnancy, childbirth, and caregiving.
How Anxiety Differs in Women
Anxiety symptoms in women are expressed differently
Some behaviors linked to anxiety manifest differently across genders, reflecting broader societal influences. For example, there are societal and cultural factors that pressure men to repress their emotions. When they feel anxiety, they often do not express it. On the other hand, there is little pressure for women to hide their emotions.
Another notable trend is that women might find themselves frequently reapplying makeup or engaging in activities traditionally viewed as feminine—like meticulous cleaning or shopping—as methods to manage feelings of anxiety.
These actions can often be understood as responses to societal expectations and gender norms, highlighting how external pressures contribute to the ways individuals cope with stress and anxiety.
Expert Insight
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), MSMinkyung Chung
Types of issues and sources of anxietyBoth men and women have anxiety about their careers, family life, health, and appearance. The difference is that women tend to focus their anxiety more intensely and more often on certain issues.Societal and career pressuresWomen may worry about their appearance and taking care of others more than men, reflecting the intense societal pressure to conform to traditional feminine roles.Anxiety about balancing and performing well in professional roles, alongside personal roles as a partner, mother, daughter, and caretaker, is also more pronounced among women.
Types of issues and sources of anxiety
Both men and women have anxiety about their careers, family life, health, and appearance. The difference is that women tend to focus their anxiety more intensely and more often on certain issues.
Women may worry about their appearance and taking care of others more than men, reflecting the intense societal pressure to conform to traditional feminine roles.
Anxiety about balancing and performing well in professional roles, alongside personal roles as a partner, mother, daughter, and caretaker, is also more pronounced among women.
The drive for perfectionism and the pressure to perform flawlessly in all life roles can lead to significant anxiety in women. This is often tied to the desire to meet unattainably high societal standards in both personal and professional spheres.
Given that women are more often victims of violence, anxieties related to personal safety and the safety of loved ones are prevalent. This concern can manifest in heightened stress and vigilance in public spaces or relationships.
Experiences specific to women can cause anxietyWomen can have certain experiences that cause stress and contribute to the development ofexcessive anxietyor ananxiety disorder. These include pregnancy, childbirth, and/or miscarriages. Sometimes theiranxiety symptoms(mentioned above) will be related to these experiences.Biological and neurological sourcesWomen are more likely than men to develop an anxiety disorder, according to multiple studies such asthis researchpublished in Brain and Behavior. There are severalfactorsfor why this is:Female hormones, including estrogen, more readily trigger a part of the brain that controls the fight-or-flight response. Female experiences such as pregnancy release these hormones. This makes women experience anxiety more frequently than men.There isevidenceto suggest female brains cannot process serotonin as quickly as male brains. Serotonin counters anxiety, among other functions.
Experiences specific to women can cause anxiety
Women can have certain experiences that cause stress and contribute to the development ofexcessive anxietyor ananxiety disorder. These include pregnancy, childbirth, and/or miscarriages. Sometimes theiranxiety symptoms(mentioned above) will be related to these experiences.
Biological and neurological sources
Women are more likely than men to develop an anxiety disorder, according to multiple studies such asthis researchpublished in Brain and Behavior. There are severalfactorsfor why this is:
Find a Therapist Who Specializes in Anxiety Symptoms in WomenThere aremental health professionalswho specialize in working with women who want to manage their anxiety symptoms. If you’re suffering fromanxietydisordersymptomsand want some relief, consider working with one of themto getanxiety treatment. Remember that a therapist can help you address the causes of your symptoms and provide long-term relief with a variety of treatment options including therapy,anxiety medication, and/or other coping skills.If you’re ready to get help, get connected with a mental health professional at Talkspace to startanxiety therapy.
Find a Therapist Who Specializes in Anxiety Symptoms in Women
There aremental health professionalswho specialize in working with women who want to manage their anxiety symptoms. If you’re suffering fromanxietydisordersymptomsand want some relief, consider working with one of themto getanxiety treatment. Remember that a therapist can help you address the causes of your symptoms and provide long-term relief with a variety of treatment options including therapy,anxiety medication, and/or other coping skills.
If you’re ready to get help, get connected with a mental health professional at Talkspace to startanxiety therapy.
See ReferencesWomen and AnxietyAnxiety & Depression Association of America. Accessed November 29, 2021.FactsAnxiety & Depression Association of America. Accessed November 29, 2021.Anxiety DisordersNational Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 29, 2021.Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illnessMcLean, Carmen P et al. Journal of psychiatric research vol. 45,8 (2011): 1027-35. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006. Accessed November 29, 2021.Gender Differences in the Neurobiology of Anxiety: Focus on Adult Hippocampal NeurogenesisMarques, Alessandra Aparecida et al. Neural plasticity vol. 2016 (2016): 5026713. doi:10.1155/2016/5026713. Published 2016. Accessed November 29, 2021.A systematic review of reviews on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adult populationsRemes, Olivia et al. Brain and behavior vol. 6,7 e00497. 5 Jun. 2016, doi:10.1002/brb3.497. Accessed November 29, 2021.Brave men and timid women? A review of the gender differences in fear and anxietyMcLean, Carmen P, and Emily R Anderson. Clinical psychology review vol. 29,6 (2009): 496-505. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.05.003. Accessed November 29, 2021.Differences between males and females in rates of serotonin synthesis in human brainNishizawa, S et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 94,10 (1997): 5308-13. doi:10.1073/pnas.94.10.5308. Accessed November 29, 2021.
See References
Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Accessed November 29, 2021.
National Institute of Mental Health. Accessed November 29, 2021.
McLean, Carmen P et al. Journal of psychiatric research vol. 45,8 (2011): 1027-35. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.006. Accessed November 29, 2021.
Marques, Alessandra Aparecida et al. Neural plasticity vol. 2016 (2016): 5026713. doi:10.1155/2016/5026713. Published 2016. Accessed November 29, 2021.
Remes, Olivia et al. Brain and behavior vol. 6,7 e00497. 5 Jun. 2016, doi:10.1002/brb3.497. Accessed November 29, 2021.
McLean, Carmen P, and Emily R Anderson. Clinical psychology review vol. 29,6 (2009): 496-505. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.05.003. Accessed November 29, 2021.
Nishizawa, S et al. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America vol. 94,10 (1997): 5308-13. doi:10.1073/pnas.94.10.5308. Accessed November 29, 2021.
Minkyung ChungMinkyung Chung has over 10 years of experience and specializes in multicultural issues, specifically issues unique to the Asian American population. She enjoys working within the Asian American community to help reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services and normalize the process of it. Her passion for this topic has led her to focus her research efforts in examining how to help the Asian American community.
Minkyung Chung has over 10 years of experience and specializes in multicultural issues, specifically issues unique to the Asian American population. She enjoys working within the Asian American community to help reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health services and normalize the process of it. Her passion for this topic has led her to focus her research efforts in examining how to help the Asian American community.
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