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Women & Anxiety Disorder

Everyone experiences anxiety occasionally as it is our body's natural way of gearing up for significant events and alerting us to take action, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). However, when the anxiety becomes chronic and debilitating, it is considered a disorder. ADAA reports that about 40 million American adults have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders occur more frequently and appear earlier in women than in men.

  1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

    • There are several kinds of anxiety disorders, according to ADAA: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); panic disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); social anxiety disorder and various phobias.

      Marcelle Pick, an OB/GYN nurse practitioner, explains that GAD is considered "mild to moderate" compared to other anxiety disorders and is more widespread amongst women than the others. Mental Health America defines GAD as six months or more of unfounded, excessive worry and tension about all aspects of life.

    Anxiety: More Prevalent in Women

    • GAD occurs more frequently in women than in men; imbalances in brain chemistry and female hormones may be responsible for women's susceptibility to anxiety. Research suggests that the brain chemical serotonin, which is released by the body to deal with stress and anxiety, is not processed as quickly in women as it is in men. The female hormones--estrogen and progesterone--may cause the brain to activate an anxiety response called "fight-or-flight"more easily in women than in men, according to ADAA. Pick explains that women feel elevated anxiety compared to men especially during their menstrual cycles, right before getting menopause, and during menopause because of all the hormonal fluctuations.

    Other Causes

    • Although the exact cause of GAD is unknown, there is much speculation. In addition to chemical or hormonal imbalances, genetics may be a factor; if someone in your family has or had GAD, you have an increased chance of developing the condition. Environmental triggers such as stressful or traumatic events and substance use may cause generalized anxiety disorder.

    Symptoms and Diagnosis

    • Symptoms of GAD may include the following: exaggerated, chronic worry; irrational thoughts; restlessness; irritability; muscle pain or tensions; tiredness; insomnia; headaches; sweating and trembling.

      A doctor makes a GAD diagnosis based on symptoms. The patient is diagnosed with GAD if the symptoms have been present for six months or more and if they are disabling enough to prevent her from carrying on with daily living. A review of your medical history, physical examination and lab work to rule out physical ailments may be part of the process, according to WebMD.

    Treatments

    • Various treatments are used to address GAD depending on the severity of it. One with a mild case of GAD might only need lifestyle changes such as limiting the amount of caffeine consumed, exercising and eating healthy, and learning to manage stress better, according to WebMD.

      Others with more severe cases will require medication, talk therapy, or a combination of both. The drugs that doctors tend to prescribe for GAD are antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or both. Talk therapy may be effective especially cognitive-behavioral therapy because it helps patients change their thinking patterns and overly-anxious behavior.

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