7 Common Anxiety Symptoms in Women

Women, particularly those who are also wives and mothers, bear some of the largest mental loads of all people. Anxiety symptoms in women are more prevalent because of the mental load of managing homes, jobs, and other people’s schedules.

This load can lead to anxiety symptoms in women. Anxiety can manifest in clear physical symptoms: panic attacks, trouble breathing, shakiness, etc. However, many of the symptoms of anxiety that women feel are less physical and more emotional. These emotional symptoms take a toll on our physical health as well.

We can break down some of the symptoms of anxiety and some ways to work through them.

Feeling powerless

The feeling of being powerless in difficulty is miserable. Things are tricky; you don’t know what to do. You can see storms brewing but don’t feel you have the means to prepare for them. Someone has been hurt, and you don’t have the skill to fix it; someone is grieving, and you have no clue what to say.

When you feel powerless, redirect your focus to things you can control. Things like making your bed, choosing a healthy snack, and small differences you can make for your neighbors. There are always going to be things beyond your control, but that does not mean that you are completely without options.

Feeling overwhelmed

Everyone needs you, and the demands for your attention bombard you. Your to-do list only grows no matter how many things you check off. When you feel overwhelmed, breaking things into smaller pieces can be helpful.

Pick one place to clean for fifteen minutes if the whole house is messy. If all the children want to talk, do some triage and ask which person is okay with waiting a while to have a conversation.

It is important to communicate when you are feeling overwhelmed. If people don’t know or notice, they are not able to adjust their behavior to help you. Tell everyone you need a five-minute break and take the break.

Feeling exhausted

The mundane tasks of life never end. Laundry, dishes, preparing meals, it will never stop.
Exhaustion with the mundane can be a symptom and a trigger for anxiety. Learning to hold things in perspective will help when the mundane becomes exhausting.

Dishes: “I am glad we have hot running water for this task.”
Laundry: “We have so many nice clothes, plus sheets for our beds and towels galore.”
Cooking: “Thank you for our daily bread with all its variety.”
Practicing gratitude can help with feeling exhausted by the mundane parts of life.

Feeling stuck

Setting boundaries is important because saying yes to everything can make you feel stuck doing things you don’t have the time or energy to do. Sometimes it helps to reframe your thoughts. Try listing out the areas you feel stuck in and see if you can identify the source of the issue. Feeling stuck can be due to expecting results that you are not seeing. If you want different results you may need to try different actions.

One way to work through feeling stuck is to figure out how you would rather feel about the situation. Identify the positive emotion you want to feel and determine the steps you need to take toward that emotion.

Feeling indecisive

Decision fatigue comes when you have been maxed out by making decisions. At the beginning of the day, you decide what to wear, what to eat, when to leave, and what route to take, and if you are a mom, you make those decisions for your children as well. By the end of the day or week, you no longer feel capable of making even small decisions, let alone larger ones.

When you feel indecisive and anxious about big decisions, it might be time to systematize smaller ones.

• Make a breakfast schedule and stick to it
• Use a meal-planning service for a while
• Have a capsule wardrobe for easy dressing
• Keep your hygiene routine simple

Feeling stress on behalf of those you care about

You want the best for those you love. So, when they experience pain or difficulty, you may feel stress on their behalf. If your child has a big test or your friend is going through a marriage crisis, you may take on extra anxiety. This is not helpful to them or you.

Instead of carrying that extra stress or trying to remove those you love from stress practice active listening and comforting presences. Some ideas for how this could look include:

• Letting them talk without needing to provide a solution.
• Asking what they need from you (a hug, advice, anger).
• Praying for them.
• Cheering them on from the sidelines.

You can minimize your stress and theirs by sharing in your loved ones’ joys and sorrows.

Feeling that you are not meeting expectations

So much of a woman’s anxiety can come from the feeling that she is not living up to some standard she believes others have for her. If your voice constantly compares you to others, you need to find ways to put those fears to rest.

The truth is that this ideal woman who you compare yourself to does not exist. She is a figment of your imagination. When feelings of doubt and anxiety creep in, ask yourself a few questions:

• Is everyone (spouse, children, self) provided for physically?
• Is everyone loved (provided for emotionally)?
• Do other people’s opinions matter?

You are more than meeting expectations if you can answer “Yes” to the first two and “No” to the last question. Tell the ideal woman (who only exists in your head) to relax.

Solutions for anxiety symptoms in women

Having solutions for different feelings is healthy, and it is also healthy to have practices that you maintain for preventative care for your mental and emotional health.

Create space for rest

Rest is an essential gift for all humans. You need to rest from your labors to have the strength to continue them. Sleep is important, and so is creating other forms of rest. It could be a cozy space for reading, a yard, or a porch for sipping drinks and soaking in the sun. Create a space that invites you to rest.

Curate joy

Your joy is an important part of your mental health. Making time for things you enjoy is not always easy, but it is always worth it. Listen to music that soothes or invigorates you. Take up a creative pursuit, such as art, crafts, or music. Read fun books and watch fun shows.

Plan a girl’s night with your friends, even if it is months out. Making plans helps motivate you to see it through.

Communicate needs

Find people you trust to ask for help when you are feeling anxious. Tell people when you need a break. Consider asking for prayer from friends in faith and reach out when you feel the symptoms of anxiety rising.

Cultivate your relationship with God

With the passing of time, you will experience a variety of ups and downs. There will be people who annoy and frustrate you. You will have grief, loss, and heartache. Sometimes, the future will seem uncertain. This is when faith becomes key to your life. Prayer, retreat, and meditation practices can benefit your heart and brain when you are anxious.

Counseling for anxiety symptoms in women

If you are feeling any of the above symptoms of anxiety, talking to a counselor has many benefits. Much like working on a puzzle the first step to dealing with your anxiety is to dump it all out.

Having a counselor to talk to can help you figuratively dump out all the pieces of your anxiety on the table and begin to sort out the picture. As you talk about your feelings you can brainstorm solutions that will be effective coping tools when feelings of anxiety come. If you are ready to talk to a counselor about your anxiety, call today to set up an appointment.