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The Anxiety Disorders Association of America

(ADAA)”the only national, non-profit membership
organization solely dedicated to promoting the
prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety disorders”
launched the ADAA Women™s Initiative in May 2003
to reach out to women of all ages and their families to
educate them about anxiety disorders and to encourage
them to talk to a health professional if they™re experiencing
anxiety disorder symptoms. Anxiety disorders are real,
serious, and treatable conditions that can be effectively
treated if diagnosed.
Once a girl reaches puberty, her chances of developing an
anxiety disorder double. This increased risk continues for
another 35-40 years, a lifetime risk longer than that of
almost any other psychiatric or physical illness. These
gender differences can range from the age of onset and
symptom patterns to treatment responses. Although
progress is being made, little is known as to why women
are more vulnerable to anxiety disorders. Researchers are
currently investigating the role of the following factors in
these gender differences:
¢Brain chemistry
¢Hormones
¢Gender roles
¢Genetics
¢Trauma
¢Social support
¢Socioeconomic status
The facts remain¦
¢Women are twice as likely to develop posttraumatic
stress disorder after a traumatic event. The risk is even
higher after a rape (49 percent for women vs. 0 percent
for men), sexual assault other than rape (24 percent for
women vs. 16 percent for men), mugging (17 percent
for women vs. 2 percent for men), and after being
attacked (56 percent vs. 6 percent for men).
¢Women are twice as likely to have panic disorder.
According to Harvard Health Watch, two to three
million women frequently experience panic attacks.
Panic disorder is often mentioned as a top reason for
women dropping out of college.
¢Women are three times more likely than men to be
diagnosed with agoraphobia, according to Harvard
Health Watch.
¢Women are twice as likely to experience social phobias
and generalized anxiety disorders.
Definitions:
¢ Posttraumatic stress disorder is a condition that
results from experiencing or witnessing an unusually
distressing event.
¢ Panic disorder is a condition marked by severe and
unexpected panic attacks that may resemble feelings
of having a heart attack or losing control for no
apparent reason.
¢ Agoraphobia is the fear of public places or open spaces.
¢ Social phobia is the intense anxiety of being judged
by others and/or publicly behaving in a way that could
lead to embarrassment or ridicule.
¢ Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive or unrealistic
worry that is unrelated to another illness, lasting six
months or more.
While this increased prevalence is still being studied, the
effects of anxiety disorders on a woman™s life and health
are known. Anxiety disorders are real, serious, and
treatable. Yet only about one-third of those suffering
receive treatment. According to an National Institute of
Mental Health-sponsored study, more than 70 percent
of mothers bringing a child to a health professional for
mental health treatment had untreated depressive and
anxiety disorders as well.
To date, the ADAA Women™s Initiative has created special
materials for college-age women, adult women, and women
over the age of 50 that provide information on anxiety
disorders, self-tests, finding a provider and self-help groups,
treatment options, and questions to ask a therapist. Visit
the ADAA™s Women™s Initiative section on www.adaa.org
or call 1-800-922-8947 for more information.
Anxiety Disorders Association of America
8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600 ¢ Silver Spring, Maryland ¢ 20910
p: 240.485.1001 ¢ f: 240.485.1035 ¢ www.adaa.org
ANXI ETY
DISORDERS
ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICA
About The Initiative

www.adaa.org