Women’s Wellness… Addressing the Epidemic of Anxiety and Stress

Anxiety and stress are natural responses to various situations, fears, or triggers that everyone experiences. These feelings are normal unless they begin to interfere with daily life, potentially developing into a disorder. Research indicates that women are more prone to anxiety and stress throughout their lives, largely due to hormonal fluctuations and physiological factors. Women face numerous pressures, whether as homemakers, businesswomen, or employees, and their hormonal and emotional nature makes them more vulnerable to these challenges compared to men.

Common Causes of Stress in Women

Imaging examinations

Hormonal changes are among the most common causes of stress in women. Some experience imbalances in hormones, and lower levels of testosterone compared to men, as testosterone is responsible for feelings of happiness. Hormonal imbalances can occur before, during, and after menstruation, as well as during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, with estrogen playing a significant role in these fluctuations.

Multiple Responsibilities

Women are often recognized for their ability to multitask. Working women juggle numerous responsibilities both at home and at work, striving not to fall short in any area. This challenge becomes even greater when children are involved.

Work Pressure

Continuous effort and pressure at work present significant challenges, contributing to persistent stress. In some jobs, women may need to work harder to prove themselves. Additionally, some women face limited career advancement, lower wages, and long working hours. Businesswomen are often racing against time to achieve success and ensure the continuity of their projects.

Misguided Beliefs

Some women adopt certain misguided beliefs due to their environment, leading to constant anxiety and stress. Working women who bear household responsibilities without spousal support due to the false belief that they should handle these duties on their own are particularly affected by continuous pressure and stress.

Symptoms

Anxiety and stress symptoms in women can be psychological and physical. Psychological symptoms include mood swings, lack of mental clarity, severe sadness, fear, irritability, lack of concentration, sleep disturbances, and social withdrawal. Physical symptoms include rapid heartbeats, tremors, various bodily pains, stomach disorders, colon pain, acid reflux, heartburn, and difficulty breathing.

Common symptoms of general anxiety disorder and stress in women include:

• Feeling of discomfort without a direct cause.
• Lethargy, laziness, and lack of desire to perform daily tasks.
• Difficulty making decisions and inability to concentrate.
• Sleep disturbances or irregular sleep patterns.
• Muscle tension along with neck and head cramps resulting in persistent headaches.

Effects and Complications

Anxiety and stress significantly impact all body systems:

Central Nervous System

Continuous secretion of stress hormones due to chronic stress leads to nervous system disorders, manifesting as headaches, dizziness, and depression. Women are also more prone to psychological disorders like panic attacks or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Additionally, tension headaches are common symptoms often accompanying stress in women.

Cardiovascular System

Women experiencing chronic stress or anxiety are at a higher risk of cardiovascular problems due to persistently elevated heart rates, increased blood pressure, and prolonged exposure to cortisol, the stress hormone. Anxiety disorders can lead to heart palpitations, chest pain, and a heightened risk of hypertension and heart disease. For individuals with pre-existing heart conditions, anxiety disorders can further exacerbate the risk of complications.

Digestive System

Stress can lead to various digestive issues, including stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and irritable bowel syndrome in some women. Conversely, others may experience weight gain due to stress-induced emotional eating, where they consume more food when feeling anxious or stressed.

Respiratory System

Anxiety and stress amplify asthma symptoms, leading to rapid breathing. If someone has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), they may need to seek medical care to prevent complications related to anxiety.

Pregnancy

Women face numerous disorders during pregnancy due to hormonal fluctuations and health issues like vomiting and nausea. 

Additionally, the stress of the impending birth and the responsibility of a new baby, especially for first-time mothers, is a significant source of anxiety.

Menstrual Cycle

Hormonal changes before and during menstruation cause constant anxiety and stress, especially if the woman suffers from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), with its associated pains being a source of stress themselves.

Treatment

Generally, women are more proactive in seeking treatment for psychological disorders. They frequently visit mental health facilities in search of interventions to address their conditions or strategies for managing them. For anxiety and stress, pharmacotherapy may involve anxiolytic medications that facilitate positive cognitive patterns. However, the cornerstone of treatment is psychotherapy, particularly aimed at implementing behavioral modifications in daily routines and promoting cognitive restructuring to replace maladaptive thoughts with positive ones, thereby achieving emotional homeostasis.

Women may undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) depending on the severity of their anxiety. CBT involves structured sessions that assist patients in progressively resuming their pre-anxiety baseline functioning. The therapy focuses on modifying dysfunctional behaviors and cognitive distortions that contribute to anxiety, while also addressing and reforming entrenched maladaptive beliefs and schemas.

Another therapeutic approach is psychoanalytic therapy, typically indicated for chronic anxiety disorders. This long-term modality involves the therapist exploring the patient’s unconscious processes to uncover the root causes of anxiety, often linked to unresolved childhood traumas. By identifying and processing these traumas, patients can alleviate the primary cognitive conflicts driving their anxiety. Additionally, clinicians advocate for adjunctive treatments such as physical exercise, which enhances neurobiological resilience, and relaxation techniques like yoga, which promote autonomic stability. Engaging in social activities, avoiding social withdrawal, prioritizing self-care, and incorporating recreational activities are also recommended to mitigate daily stressors and enhance overall psychological well-being.