Why anxiety is more common in females?

Anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions, just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease, diabetes or any other physical disease. People with anxiety and depressions are more likely to miss the days from work and are less productive. Young people with anxiety are also less likely to enter school and complete it – translating into fewer life chances. Women are more than twice as likely as men to get an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Anxiety disorders are often treated with counselling, medicine, or a combination of both. Some women also find that yoga or meditation helps in treating anxiety disorders. Many factors contribute to the higher rates of diagnosed anxiety in women, ranging from the hormonal fluctuations and brain chemistry to differences in how men and women cope. Here are some of the more common:

·         A women’s monthly cycle can affect anxiety levels.

·         Female hormones contribute to a more easily activated, longer-acting fight-or-flight response.

·         Research has shown that the male hormone testosterone — more abundant in men — may help ease anxiety symptoms.

·         Females are more sensitive to low levels of a hormone that organizes the stress response.

·         Women experience residual anxiety from sexual abuse/violence more often than men.

·         Women are more likely than men to seek help for anxiety and get diagnosed.