Anxiety in Women: A Closer Look

Symptoms of Anxiety in Women

Some emotional symptoms of anxiety in women include:

• Thoughts about everything that can go wrong or something that might be wrong already
• Obsessive thoughts
• Insomnia (sometimes a result of the thoughts)
• Chronic fatigue
• Becoming stressed quickly and easily
• Sudden fear of death, embarrassment, illness, etc.
• Fight-or-flight responses to something that can’t cause physical harm
• Repeating ritual behaviors more than necessary (checking locks, grooming, etc.)

Physical symptoms of anxiety in women include:

• Sweating
• Trembling
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Changes in appetite
• Chest pain
• Feeling like you’re choking
• Numbness
• Chills
• Hot flashes
• Muscles tension or tightening
• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Hairs standing up
• Hives and rashes

Different Types of Anxiety Women Experience

Women’s experiences with anxiety are often shaped by biological, psychological, and social factors, making their encounters with anxiety uniquely challenging. Below, we explore the most common types of anxiety disorders in women and the distinct contexts in which they occur.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

Women with generalized anxiety disorder find themselves in a persistent state of worry over everyday matters, often anticipating disaster. This excessive fear extends to daily activities and responsibilities, with physical symptoms like fatigue, tension, and sleep disturbances amplifying their distress. Hormonal fluctuations and societal pressures to manage multiple roles can exacerbate GAD in women.

Panic disorder

This mental health condition manifests in women as sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. The acute physical symptoms of a panic attack can be particularly alarming, often leading to fears of losing control or impending doom.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Women are more likely to develop this mental health condition following 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’s mental health.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)

OCD can involve persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Women may experience OCD related to cleanliness, safety, and orderliness, often influenced by societal expectations of gender roles.

Social anxiety disorder

Characterized by an intense fear of social situations, women with social anxiety disorder may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, self-consciousness, and the fear of being judged. This can significantly impact their ability to engage in social, academic, or professional environments.

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 of generalized anxiety disorder but are deeply intertwined with concerns about pregnancy, childbirth, and caregiving.

How Anxiety Differs in Women

There are distinctive patterns in how women experience, express, and cope with anxiety. These differences are shaped not only by biological factors but also by societal expectations, cultural norms, and the unique challenges women face in their daily lives. Understanding these nuances is crucial for addressing anxiety with the sensitivity and specificity it demands.

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.

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.

Societal and career pressures

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.

Fear of aging and solitude

Concerns about aging and the fear of being childless or alone often weigh heavily on women. These anxieties are exacerbated by societal expectations and the stigma attached to aging and childlessness in women.

Perfectionism and role overload

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.

Safety concerns

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 anxiety

Women can have certain experiences that cause stress and contribute to the development of excessive anxiety or an anxiety disorder. These include pregnancy, childbirth, and/or miscarriages. Sometimes their anxiety 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 as this research published in Brain and Behavior. There are several factors for 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 is evidence to suggest female brains cannot process serotonin as quickly as male brains. Serotonin counters anxiety, among other functions.

Find a Therapist Who Specializes in Anxiety Symptoms in Women

There are mental health professionals who specialize in working with women who want to manage their anxiety symptoms. If you’re suffering from anxiety disorder symptoms and want some relief, consider working with one of them to get anxiety 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 start anxiety therapy.