It’s not unusual to experience stress and anxiety at certain points in your life. But if those feelings begin to get in the way of your ability to function on a daily basis, it can be highly beneficial to seek professional support for an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety disorders include various conditions that share features of excessive fear and other behavioral disturbances. Women and girls who struggle with anxiety disorders have trouble completing routine activities, making it difficult to work, go to school, or form relationships.
You can learn more about the different types of anxiety disorders by visiting the National Institute of Mental Health’s website.
Common Signs of Anxiety Disorders
There are several types of anxiety disorders, all of which go beyond what a woman or girl might expect to experience on a regular basis. These are clinically marked by their persistence (typically lasting at least six months). Anxiety disorders can be broken down to include the following:
- Separation anxiety disorder: Most often a childhood disorder characterized by separation from parents or caregivers
- Selective mutism: Consistent failure to speak in certain situations
- Specific phobias: The development of anxiety when exposed to specific objects or situations, and a desire to avoid them
- Social anxiety disorder: Anxiety, fear, and avoidance of social situations due to perceived negative judgment
- Panic disorder: Intense fear and anxiety that lead to distressing physical symptoms
- Agoraphobia: Fear of places or situations that may cause feelings of being trapped or helpless
- Generalized anxiety disorder: Persistent worry, out of proportion to actual circumstances, about a lack of control surrounding activities and events
Women and girls who struggle with anxiety disorders often will exhibit signs of being consumed by the fear and stress that are associated with these conditions. These signs of anxiety include:
- Social withdrawal
- Avoiding certain situations
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Problems concentrating
- Constant sense of doom or dread
Common Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders
The symptoms of anxiety disorders typically mean that a woman or girl has progressed past the point where she’s showing warning signs and needs professional care.
Because there is more than one anxiety disorder and each individual’s experience with these struggles is different, it’s unlikely that you will notice all of these anxiety symptoms in any woman or girl. But if you are exhibiting some of the following anxiety symptoms, it may be time to seek proper intervention.
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle tension or achiness
- Sweating
- Trembling
- Rapid breathing, or hyperventilation
- Increased heart rate
Common Causes & Risk Factors of Anxiety Disorders
There isn’t a single cause that leads a woman or girl to develop an anxiety disorder. But there are some genetic and environmental risk factors that may make some individuals more prone to being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. These include:
- A family history of anxiety or other mental health concerns
- Exposure to stressors and negative life events, particularly at a young age
- History of sexual or physical abuse
- Certain physical health conditions
- Use of caffeine or other substances
Statistics About Anxiety Disorders
There are a variety of reputable statistics surrounding anxiety disorders, which are the most common mental illness in the United States.
- According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders affect 40 million adults in the U.S., or 18.1% of the population, each year.
- Approximately 7% of children ages 3-17 experience symptoms of anxiety each year, and most people develop anxiety symptoms before turning 21, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
- According to interview data from the National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement, an estimated 31.9% of U.S. adolescents ages 13-18 had an anxiety disorder.
Effects of Anxiety Disorders
The impact of anxiety disorders can be significant in both the short and long term without professional help. Depending on how severe a woman’s or girl’s anxiety symptoms are, she might experience some of the following negative effects without proper care:
- Trouble focusing at work or in school
- Damaged relationships with friends and family
- Difficulty doing routine activities
- Using alcohol or other substances
- Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts
- Inability to maintain employment
By seeking help at the right time, it’s possible to reduce or eliminate the impact of some of these negative consequences.
What Should I Do If My Anxiety Symptoms Return?
Research indicates that approximately a third of individuals who struggle with anxiety disorders will have their symptoms return.
Recovery from an anxiety disorder is something you may find yourself working toward throughout your life. It’s important to be patient if you experience similar concerns once again.
By having worked with a team of trusted, compassionate professionals, you’ll be able to better prepare for any setbacks that may come your way. Reaching out to them for support will help you both in the moment and in identifying any future patterns that may cause you to feel vulnerable.
Common Underlying or Co-Occurring Disorders
Many women and girls who are suffering from anxiety disorders also experience other mental health concerns or substance use disorders, which can make the effects of anxiety even more overwhelming.
By choosing Timberline Knolls, you’re putting yourself in the hands of a professional staff who understands the severity of co-occurring conditions. They will meet these challenges head-on as you receive care for an anxiety disorder.
This content was reviewed and approved by the clinical staff at Timberline Knolls.
