Women, Anxiety and Wellness
Over 40 millon adults in the United States are experiencing anxiety disorders of some type, and women are more likely to experience anxiety than men.
(Exclusively for Spa & Beauty Today by Faisal Tai)
Research tells us that over 40 million adults in the United States are experiencing anxiety disorders of some type. However, only about 37% of them receive treatment for the condition, according to Healthline. That’s a big problem, leaving millions and millions of Americans experiencing anxiety that takes a toll on their quality of life and often results in depression and worse. And women are more likely to experience anxiety than men.
We’ve got lots of Americans, many of them women, spending a fortune on wellness programs, not addressing the underlying issue of anxiety and depression.
For some context, according to the Mayo Clinic, occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. “However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive, and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).”
As you can imagine, these types of emotions interfere with activities on a daily basis and can be very tough to control. For that reason, we are seeing a lot more focus on anxiety screenings these days. In fact, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently recommended that primary care physicians routinely screen adults under 65 without anxiety symptoms for anxiety disorders. USPSTF officials say they have made this recommendation because the benefits from screening outweigh any potential harm.
So why are women more at risk of anxiety? Well, we know that, on average, women experience more anxiety than men. There are certain biological mechanisms that could certainly explain this dynamic, like differences in brain chemistry and changes in hormones. For example, the boost in progesterone and estrogen caused by pregnancy has been shown to increase the chances of obsessive-compulsive disorder that can cause anxiety. Physical conditions such as thyroid issues, hormonal changes, or use of certain medications can increase the chances of experiencing anxiety. In addition, research shows that men and women interpret life events differently, with women more likely to become stressed by them.
Due to certain biological mechanisms like differences in brain chemistry and changes in hormones, women tend to experience more anxiety than men.
There are a wide range of symptoms that anxiety can cause in women. For example, anxiety can cause a lack of focus, rapid breathing, sweating, trembling, and obsessive worry. It can also lead to feelings of exhaustion and depression.
People ask me quite frequently what “tips”—besides seeing a doctor—can help women manage anxiety. I tell them there are several ways to manage anxiety, such as practicing relaxation and breathing techniques, eating, sleeping right, and exercise.
Joining a support group for people with social anxiety can be very helpful as well. And spending time at a day spa can be a great idea as well. There’s nothing like being pampered and having some space and time and silence to regain a sense of calm.
In addition, I remind patients that too much caffeine and alcohol can contribute to anxiety, so they should be avoided.
At the end of the day people need to know that they are not alone, and that anxiety is unfortunately very common in our modern society. They need to see a doctor for an anxiety screening and for possible treatment, but there are also other ways to cope with anxiety as I’ve outlined above.
I hope this article has been helpful, and I urge people to contact me with any additional questions. My website is www.psychplus.com.
Faisal Tai, MD, is a Board Certified Psychiatrist & CEO of PsychPlus. Dr. Tai’s focus includes Schizophrenia, Mood Disorders, Anxiety, OCD and Electroconvulsive Therapy. He is also a successful entrepreneur who has raised capital, created successful business concepts and built significant organizations. Make an appointment or learn more by visiting www.psychplus.com or reach PsychPlus at 346-358-6419 or info@psychplus.com.