Chronic Stress and High Anxiety

Are Women More Prone?

Researchers suggest that chronic stress alone might make women more susceptible to high anxiety.

Could our ever increasing demands of everyday life actually account for statistics which show that women suffer from anxiety and anxiety and panic attacks twice as often as men?

Let's consider some of the factors in our lives which might account for a greater likelihood of high anxiety and anxiety and panic attacks.

• With our multiple roles, women increasingly face inordinate sources of stress.  In the process, women in particular tend to place their own needs and priorities last.  This cycle of relentless chronic stress creates increased strain on our bodies, in particular on our adrenal glands. 

It is the adrenal gland which provides the body with the appropriate resources to react to fight or flight mode, the body's normal reaction to stress.  In its response, the gland increases its production of adrenaline and other hormones.  In an environment of constant stress, the demands on the adrenal gland can interfere with the regulation of hormones thereby increasing the potential for anxiety.

• Some studies suggest that hormonal imbalance can create an environment where women are more susceptible to anxiety and panic attacks. 

Hormonal changes are particularly apparent during perimenopause, the period of time when women are approaching menopause.  This phase can last from two to ten years.  During perimenopause the menstrual cycle becomes irregular.  Estrogen levels become elevated.  Progesterone, which promotes a calming effect, is lowered. 

It is believed that these fluctuating hormone levels can cause stress.  Our reaction to this stress can be overwhelming, resulting in a cycle which we would not normally experience were it not for this potential hormonal trigger.

• Studies also suggest that mothers who suffer from anxiety and panic attacks are more likely to transfer it to their daughters than to other relatives, though the suggestion is that this transference could be a learned behavior.  The evidence seems to be weak, and other studies do not necessarily support the conclusions.

Expert opinions vary in their assessments of why women might suffer from anxiety and panic attacks more frequently than men.  Could it be that our statistics are higher simply because we seek help for anxiety more frequently?

While there may be factors that enhance anxiety or anxiety and panic attacks in women, nonetheless research reveals little distinction between men and women when it comes to the root cause of anxiety and panic attacks. 

Researchers are in general agreement that it is the amygdala, an organ in the brain that controls – or fails to control – our response to external triggers, triggering high anxiety and anxiety and panic attacks.

More specifically, when the senses relay anxiety provoking signals to the amygdala this causes the amygdala to react when the event arises again.  Over time or during times of high anxiety, this process can cause a pattern of intense anxiety, sometimes without warning.  When the amygdala overacts to perceptions of fear, real or imagined, intense anxieties, or anxiety and panic attacks, are triggered.  Therefore, experts believe that if the over reactive cycle of the amygdala can be disrupted, anxiety and panic attacks can be eliminated.

While hormones and heightened stress can aggravate our anxiety levels, women need still a structured anxiety support program which addresses the amygdala's function in creating imbalanced anxiety responses.

The Linden Method is a science based program which focuses on disrupting the amygdala's response to events.  The program utilizes the single confirmed, scientific method recognized for eliminating anxiety and panic attacks.  While other programs focus on similar techniques, those techniques alone do not include an elimination of the underlying anxiety that fuels the attacks.

Based on years of research, the Linden Method combines a unique proven technique for eliminating the actual anxiety and panic attacks themselves as well as the fundamental anxiety triggers.  The end result is a reported 96% success rate in the permanent elimination of anxiety and anxiety and panic attacks.

Linden offers a unique anxiety support program for all Linden Method clients.  Trained counselors, psychologists, and anxiety disorder coaches are available 24/7.

The security of a full time support system, a phenomenal success rate in permanently eliminating panic and anxiety attacks to over 120,000 clients. 

Could the Linden Method be your solution?