Jill M. Emanuele, PhD is Founder and Executive Director of Urban Yin Psychology, PLLC, a New York City company focused on mental health evaluation, treatment, training, and consultation, and a board member of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). She has broad experience in the evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with mood and psychiatric disorders, with a special focus on complex presentations. Her expertise includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), family therapy, and mindfulness training. Dr. Emanuele has presented at conferences, schools, and corporations on adolescent depression, suicide, self-injury, and DBT, and provides education through television, radio, and podcasts.
Article6 min read
How Does Anxiety Affect Women? 15 Signs to Look For
- Jill M Emanuele PhD
- Oct 1, 2025
- 6
Identifying the signs of anxiety in women isn’t always straightforward. Not only do women experience anxiety disorders more frequently and at an earlier age than men, but they also sometimes present different symptoms that can be harder to spot. These early signs are often lost in the interpretation of traditional gender roles that tend to normalize behaviors like excessive worrying and shyness. By expanding our understanding of the myriad ways women show symptoms of anxiety, we can become better at identifying and treating anxiety disorders in ourselves and loved ones.
1. Excessive Worrying
Feeling worried is a normal part of life that everyone experiences from time to time, usually when faced with a situation that sparks fear or uncertainty. But worrying is considered problematic when it grows from a passing thought into a constant, overpowering presence. If you’ve been feeling a chronic sense of worry for at least six months and find it difficult to control and manage, it might be a symptom of an anxiety disorder.
2. Trouble Sleeping or Fatigue
Many women experience anxiety symptoms at night. In particular, this might mean you find it more difficult to fall asleep, wake up frequently throughout the night, or feel constantly fatigued due to less time spent in restorative deep sleep. Getting a lower quality or quantity of sleep is likely to impact your ability to function during the daytime, too.
3. Procrastination
Anxiety can manifest as procrastination, which prevents you from starting or completing a task. As the pressure snowballs, tasks that used to feel easy might suddenly become insurmountable. Sometimes, procrastination is fueled by thoughts of not being good enough and accompanying feelings of fear. This anxiety symptom is more common in women who also have ADHD.
4. Irritability
Everyone has bad days, but irritability that feels disproportionate and persistent could be linked to an anxiety disorder, as well as other disorders. Irritability is generally considered problematic when it gives you more bad days than good for a long period of time, seems to occur for no reason, or continues to affect your mood and interactions with others long after the trigger has passed.
5. Difficulty Concentrating
When anxious thoughts cloud your mind, it’s easy to feel like you don’t have any brainpower left to make it through the day. Also described as brain fog or a “mind going blank” sensation, difficulty concentrating is an extremely common symptom of not just anxiety but many other mental health conditions.
6. Unexplained Head or Stomach Pain
It’s shockingly common for women to spend months seeking a medical diagnosis for chronic headaches or digestive issues, only to find out they’re actually experiencing the manifestation of anxiety symptoms in their body. Head and stomach pain, as well as other types of physical discomfort, are well-documented physical ailments associated with anxiety disorders.
7. Racing Heartbeat
Tachycardia, defined as a resting heart rate that exceeds 100 beats per minute, is a potentially scary symptom of a panic attack. While a higher pulse is your body’s natural response to perceived danger, a panic disorder may cause you to experience it even when no immediate threat is present. However, tachycardia can also indicate a serious medical emergency, so it’s a good idea to see a cardiologist to rule out anything more concerning.
8. Dizziness or Shortness of Breath
Dizziness and shortness of breath are anxiety-related symptoms primarily associated with panic attacks, and are also associated with other disorders. These symptoms can also make you feel like you’re choking or suffocating. If you experience persistent shortness of breath that doesn’t go away after a few minutes, consider seeking medical attention to be evaluated for other types of conditions.
9. Tingling or Numbness
Tingling and numbness, more formally called paresthesia, can suddenly be experienced when a panic attack occurs, and/or when experiencing significant anxiety. This sensation is most likely to be felt in your extremities, such as your fingers and toes. It may be accompanied by shaking or trembling.
10. Excessive Sweating
Your body needs to produce a certain amount of sweat to survive, but some types of anxiety can send your nervous system into overdrive and cause excessive sweating. Keep in mind that mild sweating when you’re nervous – sweaty palms before public speaking, for example – is a typical reaction to such situations. If anxiety-induced sweating becomes severe enough to interfere with your daily life, however, seeing a mental health professional can help to address it.
11. Sensory Overload
If sights, sounds, or other normal environmental elements ever suddenly start to feel overwhelming, you may be experiencing sensory overload. This anxiety symptom is especially common in women who have also been diagnosed with ADHD, among other disorders
12. Compulsive Behavior
Compulsive behaviors like excessive cleaning or repeatedly checking things like door locks and kitchen appliances are symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although OCD is more common in women than men, women tend to experience their first symptoms later.
13. Dissociation
Depersonalization and derealization are both forms of dissociation that can materialize as symptoms of PTSD, an anxiety disorder prominent in women, as well as other anxiety disorders. When you dissociate, it might feel like you’re separated from reality or yourself in a way that feels scary and jarring.
14. Symptoms That Fluctuate with Hormonal Changes
Research shows that anxiety symptoms can be influenced by hormone changes throughout your cycle. Symptoms typically worsen during the two-week period after ovulation and peak just before your period. Anxiety disorders differ from standard PMS in that symptoms are severe enough to prevent you from carrying out basic life tasks. Anxiety can also be a prominent symptom of perimenopause and menopause.
15. Disordered Eating
Anxiety disorders and eating disorders are both more frequent among women, and women diagnosed with an eating disorder are highly likely to also receive an anxiety diagnosis. Scientists have identified links between eating disorders and OCD in particular.
If you think you might be struggling, please reach out for help.
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