Anxiety disorders affect millions of women around the country in multiple ways. The most common type of anxiety disorder is generalized anxiety. This can range from mild to severe in symptomatology. Women’s anxiety is defined by a number of symptoms. Many people try to manage anxiety on their own or else try to convince themselves they do not have an anxiety disorder. Part of the issue is that sometimes people do not know the common signs of women’s anxiety. However, you can find help at our anxiety treatment center when you reach out to The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® by calling 855.773.0614.
Signs of Women’s Anxiety
Noticeable signs typically preclude women’s anxiety. Equip yourself with knowledge related to three of the most common signs of women’s anxiety.
1. Frequent Catastrophizing
One of the hallmarks of women’s anxiety is frequent catastrophizing. This is essentially next-level worry wherein you imagine bad things always happening and their occurrence behind more or less the end of the world. Even when it does not rise to a catastrophic level, generalized anxiety disorder involves constant worry that dominates your thoughts and daily interactions.
2. Social Avoidance
Social avoidance is a common trait of people who suffer from anxiety. This is sometimes fueled by fear about women’s anxiety attack symptoms since social situations often trigger anxiety attacks. Skipping events or opportunities to socialize is common among people with anxiety disorders. Relationships tend to suffer as a result.
3. Negative Coping Mechanisms
The list of coping mechanisms that people use to deal with stress and life’s difficulties is endless. One warning sign that your anxiety may need intervention is when the coping mechanisms you lean on are harmful, such as drugs or alcohol. In fact, mood disorders like anxiety and depression go hand in hand with a substance abuse disorder in many cases. Figuring out which one came first is similar to the chicken and the egg situation. Nonetheless, they influence each other without a doubt.
Women’s Anxiety Symptoms
The most common women’s anxiety symptoms are physical or emotional. Typical women’s anxiety symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Muscle tension
- Sleep issues
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Excessive worry
Moreover, women’s anxiety attack symptoms can add to that list. Not everyone with an anxiety disorder also experiences panic or anxiety attacks. Women’s anxiety attack symptoms are often short-lived yet intense during the attack itself. These include dizziness, difficulty breathing, sweating, nausea, shaking, and heart palpitations. Anxiety attacks are not life-threatening though they can cause significant disruption to a person’s quality of life as they are impossible to ignore and predict.
There’s also a connection between women’s hormones and anxiety. For instance, the drop in estrogen and progesterone at the end of a menstrual cycle may contribute to women’s anxiety symptoms. In addition, another aspect of women’s hormones and anxiety is the level of testosterone in the body. While typically at much lower levels in women compared to men, testosterone is still an important hormone. The regular release of stress hormones can actually decrease testosterone production. Decreased testosterone, in turn, allows more cortisol, a stress hormone, to build up. This can lead to increased anxiety or a greater inability to manage symptoms.
Addressing Women’s Anxiety at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®
The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® offers a wide array of treatment and support for women struggling with anxiety or addiction. We also specialize in the intersection of anxiety and addiction with a recognition that these distinct disorders can easily become intertwined. Women’s anxiety deserves dedicated care and treatment.
Throughout treatment at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, you will have the opportunity to learn about and implement healthy coping mechanisms, develop strong social support, and practice self-care. You will also participate in individual and group therapy to learn more about your unique experiences with anxiety. The goal is for you to develop the tools you need to manage anxiety in a healthy way that does not interfere with your quality of life.
At The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®, you can expect a judgment-free, supportive environment. Throughout treatment, we help you develop healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety symptoms and offer a range of treatment options to get your anxiety under control and your life back on track. Contact us at 855.773.0614 to learn more about how we treat women’s anxiety.
