Female Fears: What Are Women Most Anxious About?

anxiety in women

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that is characterized by intense fear, worry, or nervousness. In the United States, more than 40 million adults experience anxiety each year. Individuals may be anxious because they are afraid of failing, worried about not being accepted by their peers, concerned about their interpersonal relationships, and the list goes on. Anxiety affects both men and women, however, women are twice as likely to experience symptoms of anxiety as men.

In this article, we are going to look at a few female fears. Many women report these are the issues that contribute most to personal feelings of anxiety.

Physical Judgment

Many women are conscious about their appearance. It is not unusual for a woman to be concerned about her complexion, clothes, body, or hair. The thought that, wherever you are, you may be judged by your appearance may contribute to feelings of anxiety. This is because physical judgment does not take into account your personality, qualifications, or talents.

Physical judgment may be a major issue especially when a woman meets a man for the first time. The thought that a man may not find them sexually desirable may make some women very nervous.   

Getting Pregnant

If you have never been pregnant, it is only natural to feel afraid when you become pregnant for the first time. The idea that you will be carrying a little human being in your body who will depend on you for food and protection can be frightening. Some women are also afraid that their baby may be born with some type of abnormality or health problem. This is one of biggest fears expectant mothers experience.   

Being Alone

People often say no one likes to be alone. But women usually fear being alone more than men. Some women experience intense fear of loneliness on a daily basis. The thought that they may have to spend their entire life alone may feel overwhelming.

Some women choose to stay in an abusive relationship because they are afraid of being alone. Other women may become sexually promiscuous or perform illegal acts they never thought they would ever do just to maintain the companionship they currently have.  

Failure

Many women fear failure. This may include being unable to support oneself financially, being involved in a marriage that is not working, or failing to reach one’s professional goals. Even women who are successful in many walks of life may have a fear of failure. Having many responsibilities may lead a person to fear failing in one particular area.

Aging

Aging is a serious concern for many women. The appearance of wrinkles on the face causes some women to panic because it is a sign that they are getting old. Many women use over-priced anti-wrinkle creams in an attempt to get rid of wrinkles and fine lines. A fear of aging even causes some women to spend thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery and anti-wrinkle serums to maintain their youthful looks.  

Loss

The possibility of losing someone or something precious may cause extreme anxiety in many women. The fear of losing a loved one such as a child or spouse in death is quite common. Some women may also be concerned about losing a well-paying job or losing a romantic partner.

As we have seen, there are many life issues that may contribute to light levels of stress, fear, or anxiety in women. If you or someone you know feels overwhelmed with anxiety, you are encouraged to seek assistance from a licensed mental health professional. Therapy has helped millions of men and women get their life back on track. In many cases, significant improvement is made without the need for medication.

Image courtesy of Julia

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