Women are more than twice as likely as men to experience generalized anxiety. High-functioning anxiety hides behind competence, devotion, and the inability to stop.
Nearly 1 in 3 US teens meets criteria for an anxiety disorder. After puberty, girls are diagnosed two to three times more often. Not because they are weaker.
17.8% of pregnant women meet criteria for pregnancy-specific anxiety. Standard screening tools were not designed to catch it.
Postpartum anxiety affects up to 1 in 4 new mothers. 75% of women with postpartum depression also meet criteria for an anxiety disorder.
Anxiety is often the first symptom of perimenopause, arriving years before hot flashes. 15 to 50% of women are affected.
Menopausal symptoms can leave lasting effects on mental health well into post-menopause. Anxiety research in older women remains substantially neglected.