😱 How Anxiety Affects Men vs Women & How To Fix It In 2024

It’s 2024 and today I’m going to talk about anxiety, how it affects women vs men, the potential causes, and some solutions to help you or anyone you know who has feelings of anxiety.

And yes, I’m one of those people that deal with anxiety for many years and it’s probably one reason I rarely do face videos.

It’s been estimated that about a third of adults, that’s about 33% of people, experience anxiety disorders at various times in their lives.

In fact, it’s the most common class of “mental disorders” – which I personally think is a horrible label because it’s not a mental disorder.

What’s interesting is that YOUNGER people, especially teenagers feel even more anxiety.

What’s super interesting is that women feel anxiety at twice the rate of men, that’s 2x more.

1. So, why do so many people feel so much anxiety?
2. Why does it affect teenagers even more?
3. Lastly, why do women feel more anxiety than men?

Before I start, is the cause nature or nurture? Do you think it’s mostly genetics or how you were raised?…

What’s The Cause Of Anxiety?

Well, the truth is that about 50% is genetics.

Some people just have more anxiety than others and you’ll hear parents saying that about their children at an early age.

So yes, genetics plays a big role in anxiety… In fact, genetics plays a big role in everything.

However, your life experiences also play the other 50%.

Now, if you have the genetics to have more anxiety than someone else … AND you’ve had a lot of trauma in your life… AND if you’re a woman…

Well, then you’ve got higher odds of having more anxiety.

But you know, who cares?

Just because of your genetics or life, does NOT mean that you have to label yourself as an anxious person.

By the way, there is a very fine line between anxiety and excitement – they both feel the same.

You see, anxiety tends to happen because of what you focus on in the future.

Depression can be linked to what you focused on in the past.

Yes, I’m making generalities… but you get the point.

People who have feelings of anxiety usually start to think about “what if something bad happens” and thus, a negative future outcome.

So, negative “what if’s…” about the future will cause you to see a negative outcome and all of this will cause negative changes in your hormones, neurotransmitters, heart rate, blood pressure and so forth – all causing and increasing feelings of anxiety.

Thus, what you focus on expands. This is a very important concept to remember.

Why Do Teenagers or Women Have More Anxiety?

Well, one reason for this is due to hormones and more specifically, hormonal fluctuations.

Yes, the kind you have when going through puberty.

And yes, what women go through each month because of their menstrual cycles.

By the way, guys with low testosterone have more anxiety than guys with high testosterone.

So yes, hormones play a big role and that’s because hormones also affect important neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.

SIDE NOTE: There are natural solutions to optimizer these neurotransmitters.

Now coming back to what I had said earlier regarding men vs women.

• Women tend to cry more when they are dealing with anxiety. They also express and verbalize their emotions to their girlfriends or a therapist.
• Men tend to get angry to let out their anxiety – bottling it up, instead of speaking about it. Their anxiety builds, especially if a man doesn’t express emotions, and it can lead to explosive anger.

What Else Plays A Major Role In Anxiety?…

Diet is big factor.

Eating junk food, processed foods, and lots of sugars and carbohydrates can all cause negative hormonal changes and thus, cause anxiety.

In fact, one of the best diets for people who have extreme anxiety or even depression is a true ketogenic diet or a lower-carb diet.

Again, a change in hormones due to insulin, ketones, cortisol, adrenalin, and so forth.

Exercise is always important because first, you get the anxiety out of your body, and second, a positive change in your hormones.

Your gut bacteria plays a MASSIVE role in your mood.

Most of the “feel good” serotonin is produced in your gut.

So, having healthy probiotics is very important. In fact, there are 3 specific stains that are scientifically researched to work.

Proper breathing is very important. When you feel anxiety, exhale longer than you inhale. For example, you take a deep breath for 3 seconds, then slowly exhale for 6 seconds.

There’s a specific 4-7-8 breathing method that’s awesome.

Proper sleep is crucial because the lack of it reduces melatonin production, increases stress hormones, and decreases sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen – all of which will most definitely trigger more anxiety.

You Don’t Have To Label Yourself As Anxious Person

I’ll end today’s topic by saying that just because you’re prone to having anxiety, doesn’t mean you have to label yourself as an anxious person.

Yes, genetics, hormones, age, sex, upbringing, and lifestyle all play a big role and most of this, YOU do have control over.

Remember, what you focus on expands.

You need to strengthen your “positive attitude” and “grateful” muscles – which you do have control over. You just need to use them more often.

People who have a lot of anxiety quickly go to a bad place.

I personally had to train myself to stop and then go to a more positive place.

Instead of saying “what if something bad happens…” I focused on “what if something good happens”.

It took time until it became a habit.

I also take specific vitamins & herbs that help improve brain chemicals, which will help reduce these “negative”, disempowering emotions and feelings.