Anxiety in Women
Anxiety can take a heavy toll on a woman’s health and sense of general well-being. Symptoms can range from mild and manageable to extensive and debilitating. Seeking professional treatment for anxiety that is not manageable or situational is key to maintaining mental health and wellness for women. Orlando Thrive Therapy specializes in anxiety counseling for women in Windermere and surrounding areas when managing anxiety symptoms seems nearly impossible to achieve.
Anxiety disorders are natural and potentially severe medical conditions, just as real and serious as physical illnesses like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. In addition, anxiety disorders are the most pervasive mental disorders affecting women in the United States. It is believed that worldwide, nearly 264 million people have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. In addition, women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. The term "anxiety disorder" refers to specific psychiatric disorders involving extreme fear or worry, including panic disorder and panic attacks, selective mutism, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.
Some types of anxiety disorders
- Panic Disorder is generally diagnosed in women who experience unexpected and spontaneous panic attacks and are overly obsessed with the fear of another attack striking. Because these attacks are so erratic, many women may suffer intense anxiety between episodes.
- Social anxiety disorder is diagnosed in women with intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social or performance situation. For example, people with a social anxiety disorder may worry about acting, appearing visibly anxious, or being viewed as boring, awkward, or stupid.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorders, or GAD, are diagnosed in women with excessive anxiety and worry about ordinary events or activities such as work, family, health, or finances. GAD can disrupt everyday life by interfering with family, work, or school.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a disorder that develops in individuals who have experienced a dangerous, scary, or shocking event. It is estimated that five out of ten women experience a traumatic event in their lifetimes and tend to be exposed to very different traumas than men.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, is diagnosed in people of all ages and occurs when people get trapped in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions.
Treatment for anxiety disorders
Treatment options and resources are generally similar for women and men, except for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant. These treatments include professional therapy and pharmaceutical medications. Unfortunately, anxiety can improve, worsen, or stay the same during a woman’s pregnancy. That, as well as prioritizing the health of the fetus, can often affect available treatment options. Please visit orlandothrivetherapy.com for information on treating anxiety symptoms and disorders with professional assistance. Orlando Thrive Therapy specializes in anxiety counseling for women in Windermere and nearby neighborhoods and territories.
It is encouraging that most people who seek out treatment for anxiety disorders often experience significant improvement in symptoms and enjoy a greatly improved quality of life.
