Women and anxiety | FDA

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness or fear about an event or situation. This is a normal reaction to stress. Anxiety can help you stay alert in a difficult situation at work, study harder for a test, or stay focused on an important speech. In general, it helps you cope. When it becomes difficult to control and affects your daily life, it can be debilitating.

Anxiety disorders occur when excessive anxiety interferes with your daily activities, such as going to work or school or spending time with friends or family. Anxiety disorders are serious mental illnesses.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the United States. They affect up to 40 million American adults each year. Women are twice as likely as men to develop an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, but fewer than 37% of people who suffer from them are treated.

There are several main types of anxiety disorders. They all have their own characteristics and impact people in distinct ways.

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) causes excessive worry about usual aspects of life, such as family or income. This can happen daily and make it difficult to get through the day or sleep at night.
• Panic disorder involves frequent and sudden panic attacks, which are unexpected feelings of terror that come on without warning. Panic attacks can occur when there is no direct danger.
• Phobias are a strong fear of something of little or no threat. This may include traveling by plane or being around a large group of people.

Anxiety disorders come with a mix of symptoms. They can vary depending on the person and the type of anxiety disorder you have. Symptoms may also impact how you live and spend time with others.

There are many symptoms of anxiety. The symptoms below are shared by several types of anxiety disorders:

• Anxious thoughts or beliefs
• Feelings of fear and dread
• Physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or nausea
• Behavioral changes, such as avoiding previous normal activities

Several factors can cause an anxiety disorder. They can vary from one woman to another. Here are some common causes:

• Traumatic events in childhood or adulthood
• Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle
• A family history of anxiety or other mental disorders

For some people, treatment can help relieve anxiety symptoms. There are several types of anxiety treatments to help you manage your symptoms on a daily basis, such as:

Counseling (psychotherapy or talk therapy)

• This form of treatment includes a discussion with a qualified mental health professional. Together you can work on managing your anxiety.

Medicine

• Medications do not cure anxiety disorders but can help relieve symptoms. Health care providers can prescribe medications for anxiety. The most common classes of medications used to combat anxiety disorders are antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications (such as benzodiazepines), and beta blockers.

Talk to your healthcare provider to find out which treatment is right for you. You should also discuss the risks, benefits, and side effects with your provider before starting or stopping medical treatment.

People who are not physically healthy may struggle to stay mentally healthy. People living with chronic (long-term) health conditions like diabetes or heart disease are often more likely to experience higher levels of stress and anxiety. Having a chronic illness doesn’t always mean you’ll suffer from a mental health issue like an anxiety disorder, but if you suffer from both, know that you’re not alone. Support groups and health professionals can help. A healthy diet and other healthy habits, such as exercise, yoga or meditation, can help improve physical health and reduce anxiety.

• Arrange a visit to see a health care provider. During this visit, your attending physician will carry out an initial mental health examination. From there, they can refer you to a mental health specialist.

• Get involved in your care. Be open about your symptoms and listen to your options. Give your opinion on the options you think might be right for you.

• Turn to people you trust for support. When you’re living with an anxiety disorder, it helps to have people in your life that you trust. Find friends and support groups who you know will listen to your concerns and help you through difficult times.

• Call or text Suicide and Crisis Lifeline to 988 if you have immediate concerns about your mental health. The Lifeline provides free, confidential 24/7 assistance to people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones in the United States. Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, you should discuss any medications you may take for anxiety with your healthcare provider. Some medications can affect your unborn baby, but untreated mental health problems can also affect an unborn baby. Some medications can also be passed to your baby through breast milk. Talk to your provider about treatments that are safe for you and your baby.

During pregnancy or as a new mom, you can sometimes feel overwhelmed. Mental health support and resources are available through the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. It’s free, confidential and available 24/7. Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).

Talk to your healthcare provider about all medical treatment options. Discuss their risks and benefits. Your service provider can answer all your questions. Together, you can decide which treatment is right for you.

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