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Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety in Women

Women deal with a lot of stress in their daily lives. Often, too much is going on, which can lead to feelings of anxiety. Too much anxiety can be detrimental to a woman's health and her ability to function normally. One woman's reaction to anxiety can vary from another woman: it depends on the situation that causes the anxiety and her ability to cope with it. If not treated, chronic anxiety can lead to serious health problems.

  1. Physical Reactions

    • Besides the feeling of fear or heightened tension, the physical symptoms of anxiety are the easiest to identify. The most common signs include uncontrolled shaking, sweating, dry mouth and headaches. However, while having an anxiety attack, women may also experience diarrhea, rapid heart rate and breathing, problems sleeping, and lightheadedness. One or more symptom may occur depending on the severity of the anxiety.

    Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    • Post-traumatic stress disorder affects women more commonly than men, and it occurs after a traumatic event, such as sexual assault. Women who suffer from PTSD deal with constant fear, reoccurring nightmares and flashbacks of the traumatic event. PTSD can develop immediately after the event or after some time has past. PTSD is just one of the anxiety disorders that women can suffer from. Other disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social and specific phobias.

    Menopause

    • Some women who go through menopause also experience symptoms of anxiety. There are two theories behind this development: one is because of the dramatic life change that occurs because of menopause; the second is the drop of estrogen in the woman's body. Women can try a healthier diet to help with the symptoms of menopause. They can speak to a doctor if the anxiety symptoms continue.

    Chronic Anxiety

    • Chronic anxiety continues over long periods of time and can disrupt the daily lives of women. If left untreated, chronic anxiety can build up, leaving women feeling fearful and stressed out and left to deal with the symptoms on a daily basis. Talk to a doctor if you feel your anxiety has gotten out of control and is affecting your life.

    Health Risks

    • Too much stress can result in more health problems than just the symptoms of anxiety. Many women who suffer from anxiety also have depression. Heart disease and infections are also health risks from anxiety. Over time, chronic anxiety can also result in overeating and drug abuse.

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