Anxiety Disorder is a common mental illness that affects both men and women. However, it has manifested differently in women than men, influenced by the complexity of biological, social, and physical factors. It is well documented that women are more likely to develop social anxiety disorder than men over their lifetime. Women are more likely to develop anxiety disorder, with symptoms more intense than men.
Several factors, such as hormonal fluctuations, gender-specific factors, and societal expectations, contribute to this disparity, impacting the lives of women. In short, the overall well-being of women is impacted. So, if you or your loved ones are experiencing this issue, then this post is meant for you. This post will delve deeper into the unique ways in which anxiety affects women differently, highlighting the difference and the tailored approach to taking care of mental health.
Various Sources of Stress/ Anxiety in Women
The individual suffering from anxiety knows what it looks like. However, the ones who have no idea will be wondering how it feels. Have you ever woke up in the middle of midnight, feeling a heavy weight on your chest? Do you often feel uncomfortable or suddenly face difficulty breathing? You try to calm yourself, but the situation worsens. If yes, then you are not alone. These are the diverse signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
Among the several causes, the main causes that trigger a social anxiety disorder in women include:
Biological Factor
Hormonal changes in women are different than in men. The female lifespan includes different phases, including childhood, puberty, adulthood, perinatal, and menopause. During these phases, several hormonal changes take place. The distinct hormonal and psychosocial epochs during these stages give rise to social anxiety disorder in women.
Abuse and Trauma
Even today, several women face physical and mental trauma/ abuse. It affects their mental health and ultimately results in the anxiety disorder in women. Moreover, women face sexual abuse/ harassment at workplaces.
Difference in the Thought Process
It is a well known fact that men belongs to Mars and women belongs to Venus. It simply means that the thought process of both differs from one another. Both men and women thinks differently on the same topic, due to the difference in their thought process.
Physiological Factors
Several physiological factors, such as confusion, irritability, and fear, appear more in women than in men. Furthermore, comorbid conditions, such as bulimia nervosa and depressive disorder, are more likely to happen in women, which exacerbates the conditions.
Coping with Stress
Both men and women uses reluctant approaches to cope with their stress. While men uses the “fight or flight” approach; on the contrary women uses “tending or befriending” approach. Moreover, men avoids or skips seeking professional approach as compared to women.
Social and Environmental Factors
Women often face dual stress due to domestic and occupational responsibilities. This dual responsibility will result in a lower sense of personal control and sleep loss, ultimately increasing stress/ anxiety in women.
Specific Phobia
Women tend to have more specific phobias or fears about a specific object, activity, or situation. Moreover, they have the fear of being judged by others in the social event. Women tend to have more fear of separation anxiety disorder than men.
Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder in Women
Not every individual responds to anxiety in the same manner. Symptoms of Anxiety in women differ from symptoms of anxiety in men. The physical and emotional symptoms of Anxiety in Men include vertigo, sweating, choking sensation, and restlessness. While on the other hand, women show the following symptoms:
- Sleep and Appetite Change
- Social Withdrawal
- Overthinking or excessive worrying
- Impatient, anger outburst
- Physical symptoms, such as headaches, increased heartbeat, nausea
Some anxiety disorder symptoms are common in both men and women. Furthermore, different types of anxiety disorder have diverse symptoms. The common social anxiety disorder symptoms that are shared across several types of anxiety disorder include:
- Feeling of fear
- Unusual change in behavior
- Anxious thoughts/beliefs
Treating Anxiety Disorders in Women
While social anxiety in men and women might look different, however, it is important to seek professional advice for treating anxiety disorders. With the increased awareness, there are multiple common options to treat anxiety disorder in women.
Self-care
Self-care is the first treatment for treating anxiety disorder. It is the quickest way to feel better without trying the other options. Pampering yourself is the best treatment to overcome social anxiety disorder. In the self-care routine, you could:
- Stop taking alcohol or illicit drugs.
- Stick to the regular eating and sleeping habits.
- Try breathing relaxation techniques
- Go for the muscle relaxation technique
Relaxation Techniques
Next, you can try different relaxation techniques to calm yourself. It includes the following:
- Exercise regularly
- Always go for a short walk after having diner
Build Self Esteem
Individuals suffering from social anxiety have low self-esteem. Usually, they feel worthless and avoid interacting with other people. These individuals have a depressant mood and normally have the feeling of shame and guilt. You can improve your self-esteem by:
- Celebrating the small stuff
- Always interact with the positive people
- Change your focus from negative thoughts to positive thoughts
- Nobody is perfect, so keep going
Change in Dietary
Magnesium helps your muscles to relax. The lack of magnesium can contribute to depression and anxiety. Also, the inadequate intake of calcium and vitamin B will exacerbate the problem. To improve the magnesium deficiency, make sure you include:
- Wholegrain cereals in your diet
- Increase intake of leafy vegetables
- Take low-fat dairy products
Avoid taking processed foods with artificial preservatives that trigger the adrenal gland to release adrenaline.
Mindfulness
When anxiety triggers, a person spends significant time thinking of anxiety-provoking thoughts. By practicing mindfulness, you can easily bring back your attention and unhook from the thoughts that might be unhelpful. You can practice mindfulness by:
- Practicing mindfulness meditation
- Try not to be judgmental
- Go with the deeper breathing technique
Counselling
Talking to someone is always better. You can share your thoughts, feelings with the certified psychotherapist. They are the trained mental health professionals who can work through managing your anxiety. Also, they will guide you to take different therapy, such as cognitive therapy, behavioural therapy.
Medical Treatment
You can go with medical help if none of the above-mentioned methods work for you. Treating anxiety disorders by professionals will surely take time, depending on the severity of your anxiety. They will prescribe you different medicines, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine.
Note: It is advisable to take the prescribed medicine only from certified mental health professionals. They are trained and licensed to prescribe the medicine.
Finding Relief For Yourself
Seeking the right professional support from certified mental health professionals is always beneficial. Seeking professional help will help you in living a well-balanced life. When facing social anxiety disorder, consult the mental health professionals who offer expert guidance and treatment. They are trained to provide mental health coping strategies for treating anxiety disorder. Remember, there is no shame in seeking the professional help for treating anxiety disorder.
Also Read: Promote Healthy Eating Habits in Corporate Wellness Programs
