Women and Anxiety

From puberty to age 50, women are almost twice as likely as men to develop an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions – just as real and serious as physical disorders, but what are the symptoms and how can we treat it?

Signs and symptoms of anxiety:

• Feeling nervous, irritable or on edge
• Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom
• Having an increased heart rate
• Breathing rapidly (hyperventilation)
• Sweating
• Shaking/trembling
• Difficulty concentrating 
• Insomnia/trouble sleeping
• Experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) problems

If you or someone you know express these symptoms, please seek professional help.

There are several theories on why women specifically suffer with anxiety in much higher rates than men. Science suggests it could be because of differences in brain chemistry and hormone fluctuations. Also, reproductive events across a woman’s life are associated with strong hormonal changes, the surge in oestrogen and progesterone that occurs during pregnancy has been found to increase the risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. Research has also shown that women and men develop different coping strategies when presented with stressful situations, women are more likely to ruminate about them, which can increase their anxiety, while men engage more in active, problem-focused coping which is less likely to lead to anxious thoughts.

Types of anxiety disorders:

Generalized Anxiety Disorders, or GAD, includes excessive anxiety and worry about ordinary activities or events such as health, family, money or work. Many of us worry about these things from time to time, but GAD sufferers worry about these things more days than not. GAD can disrupt every day life by interfering with work, school or family.

Panic Disorder is diagnosed in people who experience spontaneous panic attacks and as a result are preoccupied with the fear of a recurring attack. Because these attacks are so unpredictable, many women may have intense anxiety between panic attacks.

Social Anxiety is diagnosed when people become overwhelmingly anxious and self-conscious in everyday situations. The anxiety can be around crowds, specific situations or around leaving the house – linked to agoraphobia.

Treatments:

If you think you have an anxiety disorder you should speak to your GP. Many women have turned to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in some people. There is also medication, and there are lifestyle changes people can make to improve their mental health, such as engaging in regular physical activity, doing mindfulness meditation and yoga.

Many of our customers have found CBD helpful in managing anxiety. CBD gummies are an easy way to incorporate CBD into your daily routine, CBD Sleep Aid tablets may be useful if anxiety is strong at night, or you could try a CBD Oil which gives you control over precise dosages – allowing you to experiment with finding a dosage that works for you.