Beyond Anxiety and Depression - women

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Risk Factors for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Women

Gloria Goodwin — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 00:24:57 +0000

Women who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder don't just suffer from it a few hours of the day; they actually have to deal with it all throughout the day. They think about disasters that might happen, things that might go wrong or problems that could happen. All of this worry causes a lot of anxiety and can affect every aspect of the woman's life. There are risk factors associated with this, which can determine whether or not a woman develops it.

Risk Factor #1: Being a Woman

Unfortunately just being a woman increases the chances of suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. Women are two times as likely to suffer from this as men are, just like they are more likely to suffer from depression. There are a lot of different factors involved in why women are twice as likely to deal with this disorder, which range from being more open about emotions to feeling the need to fulfill other people's needs.

Risk Factor #2: Personality as a Child

Girls who grow up being bullied are generally more likely to have this anxiety disorder as they grow into women. Bullying can make it difficult for a woman to open up and cause her to become extremely shy, which will manifest into anxiety in the future. Most women will also grow up worrying about being teased or bullied, which triggers generalized anxiety as she grows older.

This can first cause anxiety being around other women, but it can also cause problems with dating. All of the worries she has about being bullied will eventually lead her to start worrying about other things and will start to take over her life. This disorder can start as a child, but it will get worse as she grows into a woman.

Risk Factor #3: Genetics

Women who have a family history of generalized anxiety disorder may find that it causes them to have it as an adult. Generally women will develop the same fears or worries as their mother had, but other times they will simply learn it from growing up in a household with them. Girls tend to pay close attention to how to react to certain situations, so if their mother reacts in a worrying or fearful way, then she may do the same when she grows up. So, genetics are important to consider, but so is the environment in which the girl was raised.

Risk Factor #4: Traumatic Situations

Women respond to trauma differently than men do, and generalized anxiety disorder can become the result. For example, many women who grew up being abused end up with this disorder when they grow up because of how they were treated when they were children. This disorder can even occur for women who had a single traumatic experience as a child. Fears for just one thing can manifest themselves and make a female worry more than she should. After some time she will start to worry about other things, which will eventually lead to this disorder.

Risk Factor #5: Social Situations

Women who grew up without a lot of social connections as a child may find it difficult to connect with adults as they grow up. It is also common that women who grow up in very rural areas tend to feel anxiety when they are faced with areas that have larger populations. Even women who are mixed with different races can feel anxiety if they grew up in an area where other kids were predominantly different from them.

Most women will suffer from some sort of anxiety during the course of their life, but generalized anxiety disorder is different. This is where women aren't able to deal with certain situations and they allow their worries to control them all day and all night. This will affect quality of life and can eventually lead a woman down the road of depression, if it remains untreated.

The risk factors above are just a few that doctors will consider when determining treatment. It's important to keep in mind that just because a woman fits in with these risk factors it doesn't mean she will develop this disorder. Some end up not having much anxiety, so there's no true formula that will determine who has it and who doesn't.

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Symptoms of an Anxiety Disorder in Women

Gloria Goodwin — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:40:50 +0000

Women are at a higher risk of suffering from some type of anxiety disorder during their life. Unfortunately because the symptoms of these are part of regular life at times, many women don't seek the help that they should. By learning how to identify the symptoms of an anxiety disorder you will be better equipped to help yourself as well as other women. Here are the most common symptoms that every woman should be on the lookout for:

Symptom #1: Being Self-Conscious

Every woman experiences being self-conscious, but women who suffer from social anxiety disorder suffer more than others. They worry that as soon as they walk out into a public place they are going to be judged and ridiculed by other people. They feel that this will lead to them being embarrassed for the rest of their life. This self-consciousness affects women whether they are going out to grab a bite to eat or even just driving down the road to go to the grocery store. The overwhelming worry from this can really harm regular life.

Symptom #2: Intense Fear

Individuals who have phobias are extremely fearful of things that they should not be. This could be something as simple as a piece of paper or even a cat; it just depends on the person. Unfortunately a phobia like this can really affect life, especially if the woman is scared of something that can be seen just about anywhere. If you or someone you know has an intense fear of something that they shouldn't, then they likely have anxiety disorder in the form of a phobia.

Symptom #3: Feelings of Terror

Women who suffer from panic disorders will have feelings of terror at random times when they aren't even scared. They will start to have chest pain, feel like they are having a heart attack and have an increased heart rate. In addition to this she will start to sweat and feel like she doesn't have control over herself. This is an anxiety disorder that generally lands women in the hospital, as the feelings they are experiencing make them think they are in need of medical attention.

Symptom #4: Physical Changes

With most anxiety disorders women are going to experience physical changes. This could be numbness in the hands or feet, but it could also be sweating all over the body. Some women also experience shortness of breath along with dry mouth and heart palpitations.

Symptom #5: Feeling Ill

Anxiety disorders can make a woman feel extremely sick. She could have problems sleeping, feelings like she is going to throw up, dizziness and even muscle tension. These symptoms usually occur at a stressful time, although some women feel these all throughout the day.

Symptom #6: Not in Control

With certain anxiety disorders women will start to lose control of their thoughts. Instead of being able to focus on things they need to do for the day, they will instead obsess over just one thing. This will take over their entire day and can cause them to forget things, get into accidents and avoid things that were once important.

Some women also lose control of their ability to do things regularly, as they feel the need to repeat things over and over. Some find that repeating out loud is fine, but others need to do physical actions in order to feel "okay" with themselves.

Diagnosing Anxiety Disorders in Women

When doctors diagnose anxiety disorders in women they will take a look at a number of different things. This will include lab tests as well as psychiatric evaluations that are all done by professionals. The attitude of the patient and their behavior will also affect the outcome of the tests. It may take a while to get a diagnosis, but this depends on the patient and the information that they provide.

Once the disorder has been diagnosed and the doctor is confident with their analysis, they can move on to determining which treatment option is the best choice. There are a wide variety of options out there that are made to suit different women and different types of anxiety disorder. There are a lot of considerations that have to go into treating a disorder, which is why professional advice is so important.

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Anxiety

How to Treat Anxiety in Women

Gloria Goodwin — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:32:06 +0000

Treating anxiety in women is possible if the woman is open to getting help for the type of disorder she suffers from. There are a lot of different treatment options out there that can result in feeling better quickly so that you can move on with life. Just keep in mind that as with all treatments for disorders, it may take a while to find what works best for you. Some women find that therapy is more effective while others do better with medications.

Treatments for anxiety in women include:

Psychotherapy
Medication
Therapy
Lifestyle Changes

Psychotherapy Treatment for Anxiety

Psychotherapy is a form of counseling that helps to treat the anxiety from the inside instead of mask the symptoms. If you choose this type of therapy then you will be working with a psychotherapist that specializes in anxiety disorders. They will ask you questions, interact with you and may even ask you to do different types of activities. Just remember that everything they do is designed to help them help you overcome the disorder.

Although this can be difficult at first, in time you will learn a lot of different coping techniques that can help you overcome your disorder when times are the worst. This can mean being able to live a somewhat normal life that you are actually in control of. It's important for women to know that psychotherapy does not cure anxiety disorders overnight.

This treatment actually takes a long time to work, as the therapist has to find the reason why the anxiety disorder is there and determine how best to work with you to overcome it. You have to be open and willing for this to work, or else your mind will be closed to the possibility of finally getting better.

Medication Treatment for Anxiety

Medications are the most common treatment options because they are readily available. A doctor has to prescribe these, as each is different and some are more suitable for certain individuals than others. The medications that treat anxiety disorders include: SSRI antidepressants, benzodiazepines and beta-blockers.

Each of the different medications comes with its own set of risks as well as side effects. Most of these are designed to actually change the chemistry inside of the brain so that the symptoms of anxiety go away. Some are meant to be taken for only a short period of time, but others can be taken for longer depending on their risk for addiction.

Therapy Treatments for Anxiety

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the first choice for most anxiety sufferers to try. This involved talking through life to understand more about why you have anxiety. This helps you and the therapist get to the root of the problem so that you can learn and start developing tools to deal with it. This type of therapy also helps you learn how to change your thought patterns so that you can think more positively and avoid the worrisome or negative feelings that you would normally get due to the disorder.

Relaxation therapy is where you will learn different ways that will help you relax and soothe your anxiety. This is something that does take time and effort to learn, but it can be extremely effective. When you do this type of therapy you will decrease your heart rate, let go of tension, stop thinking and go into a state of deep relaxation for around 20 minutes. Doing this on a daily basis can help change your brain chemistry so that you have a better feeling of wellbeing and you are less likely to experience anxiety.

Lifestyle Changes to Treat Anxiety

Some people find that changing their diet and lifestyle is an effective way of treating their anxiety. They change by exercising on a regular basis and eating a more healthy diet. This also includes cutting out most processed foods and avoiding alcohol. Some even start doing yoga so that they can learn how to meditate and relax when they are feeling anxious. One of the most important parts of this is sleep. This helps the brain balance out and ensures that it's able to recover on a daily basis.

Treating anxiety in women is definitely possible with all of the options that are available today. If you feel that you want to get help, then start with a visit to your doctor and go from there. The first step can be hard, but it can make a positive change in your life!

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Anxiety

Facts about Depression in Women over 40

Gloria Goodwin — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 05:07:01 +0000

Women over the age of 40 go through a lot of different changes that can result in developing depression. While this isn't the case with all women, there is a higher risk of suffering once this age is reached. If you are nearing 40 and want to learn more about this, then read these facts. These can make you more aware of what your body is going through and what signs to look out for when it comes to depression.

Fact #1: Depression Peaks After 40

From ages 40-64 there's a spike in women who are diagnosed with depression as well as many other mental health issues. In fact, 15% of women in this age group will develop depression, which was found by a study done by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Unfortunately this number is probably higher than this, especially since a lot of women feel that the depression they experience is "normal" and there's no reason for them to report it to a healthcare professional.

The age of women with the highest level of depression is 44, but many women do not realize this. they feel that changes in their hormones is something that is to be expected. Unfortunately this can lead to even further depression, which can quickly put a woman in danger of herself.

Fact #2: Depression After 40 Increases Risk of Suicide

Both women and men ages 45-54 have the highest rate of suicide, which can be a result if undiagnosed and untreated depression. Any woman who feels like she is at risk of being depressed should see her doctor right away to get tested and discuss treatments. There are a lot of ways to get help, so there's no reason women shouldn't take advantage of what's available.

Fact #3: Menopause Can Be to Blame

Menopause affects the hormones of a woman after she is past a certain age, which is when many develop depression. Athough menopause isn't the only reason a woman will develop depression at this age, it's believed to be one of the biggest factors. When the hormones are changing so rapidly and the body is imbalanced, depression can be easy to delve into, especially for women who are going through other issues in their life.

Even though most women don't go through menopause until they reach the age of 50-51, their body is going to start changing several years before that. Her estrogen levels will vary, the chemicals in the brain will begin to change and all of that can lead to depression being developed.

Fact #4: Some Women are at Higher Risk

Women who have a family history of depression or that have a mental illness may be at a higher risk of developing depression when they reach and exceed the age of 40. These things affect the way the brain is balanced with chemicals and further changes can make those problems worse. Most women will be able to tell a difference with their mood, but the majority will brush it off as hormonal changes and nothing more than that.

Fact #5: Stress Increases Risk

Women who are over the age of 40 have a lot of stresses going on in their lives. Not only are they dealing with changes in their body, they are also dealing with children that are turning into adults. These combined with the stress of a job and other things going in life can increase the risk of a woman developing depression. Each woman is different, though, which is why visiting a doctor is important after reaching this age.

Knowing the Signs of Depression

Whether you fear depression for yourself or a loved one, it's important to be able to recognize the signs. Just keep in mind that all women are different and each will display different signs.

Feelings of hopelessness
No desire to get out of bed
Weight loss/gain
Change in mood
Problems sleeping

These are some of the most common symptoms of depression, but there are many others. Remember that just because a woman is over 40 doesn't mean she will automatically become depressed. There are a lot of factors that come into play and it differs for each person. But, if you or someone you know is displaying these signs, then seek professional help as soon as you can.

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Signs of Depression in Women over 50

Gloria Goodwin — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:04:42 +0000

A lot of people don't realize that depression can happen to women no matter what age they are. They also don't realize that depression is higher in women who are over the age of 40, especially as they approach menopause in their 50s. If you are a woman or have one in your life, then it's important to understand the signs of depression in women of this age. These do differ from signs of depression in younger women, but each person is different with those that they display.

Symptom #1: Change in Sleep

Change in sleep is common for women who are experiencing depression. This can mean not being able to fall asleep, but it could also mean not being able to sleep all the way through the night. A lot of older women also describe having nightmares when they go to sleep, which is something they didn't experience in the past.

Symptom #2: Keeping up Appearances

Some older women who become depressed don't feel the need to keep up their appearance like they did before. This might mean she stops putting on makeup when she used to, but it could also mean she doesn't get her hair done like she did before. There are also some women that just don't feel the need to get dressed because they want to stay in bed all day long.

Not showering is another sign of a woman who is depressed, especially if she used to shower daily. In addition to this, some depressed women will stop washing their clothes and just throw on anything they can find on the floor. It's easy to see a woman who is depressed, especially if she looks different from how she used to before.

Symptom #3: Lack of Care for Pets, Home and Family

Neglecting to take care of pets, children, family members and even a spouse is another sign that an older woman is depressed. She won't feel the need to take care of things like she used to, and those that she does take care of won't be given a lot of care or thought. This is generally a result of her feeling isolated and like she isn't loved. A lot of loved ones will take this personally, which can trigger conflict and push the woman down even more into depression as a result.

So, if a woman has a dirty home or the animals aren't fed, then she could be showing signs of depression. But, it could also be something as simple as her not washing the clothes for her kids or forgetting to pick them up from soccer practice. There are a lot of ways she can become neglectful of things she used to put care and effort into.

Symptom #4: Mood Swings

Mood swings are common for women due to their hormones, but at this point in life extreme mood changes should be red flags. This means that the woman will be fine one minute and extremely angry or sad the next. These types of mood changes will not be consistent and will occur out of the blue. This is one huge sign of depression for most women, especially after they reach the age of 50.

Symptom #5: Chang in Sexual Desires

A woman's sex drive will generally decrease as she gets older, but if this suddenly changes, then it could be a symptom of depression. This sign generally should only be taken into consideration if other signs of depression are being displayed. Sexual changes are common, so they shouldn't be the only thing that you take into account when determining if someone has depression or not.

Symptom #6: Crying

Not all women who are depressed sit around and cry all day, but this seems to be a common occurrence with women who are older. While she might not cry all day long, you will notice that she cries more in different situations, even those that aren't sad. This could even mean her crying for no reason in particular, but just because she feels sad.

Depression in women over 50 is a complex issue that not even psychiatrists understand completely. It's just important to realize that if you recognize symptoms in yourself or someone else, that you should seek help immediately. Suicide rates are the highest for this age group, which means depressed women over 50 pose a greater risk to themselves.

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