Everyone feels anxious sometimes, before a job interview or a medical test, for example. This kind of anxiety is normal and passes. For some women, though, worry becomes constant and hard to control, and starts to affect daily life. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions and women are around twice as likely as men to experience them.
What Anxiety Can Feel Like
Anxiety affects both the mind and the body. Common signs include:
Worrying most days, often about many different things
Finding it hard to switch off or relax
Feeling restless or on edge
Difficulty concentrating, or your mind going blank
Irritability
Trouble falling or staying asleep
A racing heart or tightness in the chest
Tense muscles or an upset stomach
Many women live with anxiety for years without recognising it, because they see constant worry as just part of their personality.
Different Types of Anxiety
Generalised anxiety disorder is ongoing worry about everyday things that is hard to control and lasts for at least six months.
Panic disorder involves repeated panic attacks. These are sudden waves of intense fear with physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, sweating, shaking and a feeling that something terrible is happening. Panic attacks are frightening but not dangerous.
Social anxiety is an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations.
Health anxiety is persistent worry about having or developing a serious illness.
Why Women Are More Affected
There is no single reason. Hormonal changes seem to play a part. Many women notice anxiety rises in the days before a period or after giving birth, and perimenopause is another common time for it to appear. Our articles on PMDD and postnatal anxiety cover these in more detail, as does our article on perimenopause symptoms. Caring roles and past trauma can also contribute.
Some physical conditions can cause symptoms that feel like anxiety, including an overactive thyroid and low iron. Your doctor may suggest blood tests to rule these out.
Treatment That Works
Talking therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most studied treatment for anxiety and works well for many women. It helps you notice anxious thought patterns and gradually face situations you have been avoiding. It is available face to face and in guided online programmes.
Medicine. Antidepressants called SSRIs are often used for anxiety and can be very effective. They usually take a few weeks to work. Some medicines for short-term relief, such as benzodiazepines, can be habit-forming and are generally only used briefly.
Exercise. Regular physical activity reduces anxiety symptoms, and studies suggest it can work alongside other treatments.
Daily habits. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol helps many women, as both can worsen anxiety. Keeping a regular sleep routine helps too, along with slow breathing exercises.
Getting Help
If anxiety is affecting your work or relationships, or stopping you from doing things you want to do, speak to your doctor. Anxiety is very treatable, and most women feel much better with the right support.
If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, or feel you cannot keep yourself safe, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. You can also contact a crisis helpline, which is available day and night in most countries.