Women and Anxiety

Oct 21
10:59

2015

Andrew Peter

Andrew Peter

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Florida, reports roughly the same prevalence of anxiety and anxiety spectrum disorders as the rest of the US. Anxiety treatment centers in Florida specific to treating behavioral disorders, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and phobia. Anxiety treatment Florida CBT and other behavioral modification therapies are proven.

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According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America,Women and Anxiety Articles by the time a woman reaches the age 50, she is twice as likely to have an anxiety disorder as a man. In addition, women often experience co-occurring depression. Research suggests that different brain chemistry between males and females may account for the higher anxiety rates in the latter. The fight or flight instinct is more easily triggered in women and last longer due to estrogen and progesterone. Other evidence points to the poor serotonin uptake in the female, as compared to the male brain.

First the brain, then the body

In a 2013 Huffington Post blog, Emma Gray, senior women's editor, writes, "And yet my struggle with anxiety has almost always been tied to my femaleness. It's closely linked to negative feelings about my body and physical attractiveness." A 2014 British Social Attitudes survey found 63 percent of women aged 18 to 34 and 57 percent of women aged 35 to 49 are happy with their appearance.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition-DSM 5-lists the following regarding body dysmorphic disorder:

  • Preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others
  • Performing repetitive behaviors-mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, reassurance seeking-or mental acts-comparing his or her appearance with that of others
  • The preoccupation causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning
  • The appearance preoccupation is not better explained by concerns with body fat or weight in an individual whose symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder

A study published in Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience found that, while it is true more women suffer from body dysmorphic disorder than men, the disparity in numbers is not so high as to explain why more women suffer from anxiety than men.

Generation me and extrinsic values

According to one researcher profiled in an NBC News Mental Health story, increased rates of anxiety among women may have to do with evolving cultural values. Jean Twenge, is a professor at San Diego State University and author of "Generation Me." According to Twenge, intrinsic values-relationships, family, pride in one's work-have given way to extrinsic values such as status, wealth and appearance. With respect to women, Twenge says they are being told, "You can have this perfect body. That puts a lot on a person's shoulders-and it's also not really true. These are things that aren't always under your control, but that disconnect creates a lot of anxiety about how hard you need to work to achieve them-and a deep fear of failure."

Everyone experiences anxiety now and then. But if you suffer from recurring anxiety; if you are unable to work or enjoy your life, then it's time to get help. Anxiety treatment centers of Florida(www.floridahelplineforanxiety.com) will assist you in finding the best anxiety treatment center Florida.