Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions out there. And it’s more prevalent in women than in men. Typically, anxiety is a normal feeling that one person experiences. For some people, anxiety can boost energy before a task, making it successful. But for some, anxiety engulfs and overwhelms them; they can’t function.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of dread, fear, and uneasiness, causing you to feel restless, profusely sweat, become very tense, and have a rapid heartbeat. In many people with GAD or generalized anxiety disorder, the feeling doesn’t go away, and the terror can paralyze their bodies and numb them.   

There are different types of anxiety, but there are also ways to overcome them. Finding your freedom from anxiety can be done through therapy and other behavioral activity that will invite your mind to focus on the positive instead of dwelling on your fears.

The Different Types Of Anxiety

Anxiety can be classified into different types. They are:

  • GAD or Generalized Anxiety Disorder – Persistent and excessive worrying about events and activities   
  • Panic Disorder – Intense terror and fear that peaks for several minutes, leaving one gasping for breath, shaking, and sometimes having chest pains.   
  • Separation Anxiety Disorder – A fear that stems from childhood situations wherein a child is left by parents, whether momentarily or permanently.   
  • Social Anxiety Disorder – The intense feeling of embarrassment and self-consciousness when going out in public for fear of being judged on one’s appearance or being negatively viewed by others.   
  • Substance-induced Anxiety Disorder – intense panic which is a result of the misuse of drugs   
  • Phobias – fear resulting from various things and situations, the most common being the fear of heights, enclosed spaces, flying, death, sickness, and spiders.   

Many things can trigger anxiety; as mentioned, it’s more common in women than men.

Here are the most common triggers of anxiety for women:

1. Finances Issues

Approaching the month’s end means payment of many obligations like utilities, credit cards, and other debts, which affects one’s mental state, especially if you’re alone in this battle. Many single mothers who support their children singlehandedly and struggle to make ends meet usually suffer alone. They wouldn’t want their children to see their difficulties and try to show a brave front. Because of this, they feel restless inside and anxious about approaching those dates.

2. Poor Work Environment

Deadlines and expectations from very difficult superiors can also affect one’s mental health and cause anxiety. Many women, especially those at the beginning of their careers, would like always to put their best foot forward, putting extreme pressure on their performance. Usually, the pressure and expectations can be two-way. It’s the pressure from the authority and their pressure on themselves.   

3. A Messy Home

A disorganized home can cause anxiety for many mothers who always try to keep everything in order. For many women, an organized space brings calm and serenity to their whole being, and their way of coping is by cleaning and organizing. But once this organized space becomes cluttered and messy, their minds can go into overdrive and mimic the chaos in front of them. Some can’t function well until they put everything back in order.

4. Health Concerns

Acquiring infectious diseases can cause worry for many people. Still, for some women, especially mothers with small children, every trip outside their homes can be a problematic excursion filled with constant reminders to disinfect, wear masks and not go near people.

It has become rampant in the past three years when the pandemic began infecting and causing death to many people globally. The anxiety of catching a disease that could be deadly may cause one’s heart rate to spike and get burdensome.

5. Public Speaking

Women not used to standing in front of many people and presenting their ideas can be jittery and uncomfortable, but for some, the effects could be more severe. Some could have palpitations and, at times, want to abandon the event, which could affect their performance, especially if this is work-related.

Very few are born with the gift of gab and the confidence to speak in front of many people. Most of the time, this is learned. If you feel this is something that could propel your career forward, but your anxiety hinders you, it would be best to consult with a therapist for possible solutions.

6. Caffeine

People take caffeine to keep them alert and awake in the morning to continue doing their tasks effectively. Caffeine stimulates the cortisol levels in the body. It’s a stress hormone and the body’s built-in alarm system. It controls mood, motivation, and fear. If cortisol is hyped up by caffeine, you get an immediate buzz and achieve the goal of accomplishing your tasks, but it also increases your heart rate and could affect your circadian rhythm or your sleep cycle.

Conclusion

Anxiety is normal, but if it affects your daily life in a way that you can’t function properly, you need to do something about it. Ignoring frequent anxiety attacks can lead to more severe health conditions like cardiovascular disease and depression. Avoiding triggers by managing your finances, drinking less caffeine, and enhancing your public speaking skills can help you manage your anxiety. But if you feel that it’s taking hold of your life, you need the help of experts like psychotherapists to give you talk therapy or other activities to overcome anxiety.

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