How Anxiety Shows Up Differently for Women (And Why You’re Not “Too Emotional”)

Do You Think You’re “Too Emotional”?

Do you ever find yourself thinking: “Why can’t I just cope?” or “I’m just too emotional”?

If that sounds familiar, it's not just you — and you’re definitely not overreacting.

Many women experience anxiety differently from the stereotypical “panicking” or “can’t handle stress” scenarios often described in books or online articles. Instead, anxiety may sneak in quietly, disguised as irritability, fatigue, insomnia, or that ever-present “mental buzzing” you just can’t switch off.

Understanding these differences is vital because it helps you:

• Stop blaming yourself for feeling overwhelmed

• Recognise your symptoms as natural responses

• Begin responding to your nervous system with compassion

  
  

Hormones and the Female Stress Response

One of the biggest influences on women’s anxiety is our hormonal cycle. From the teenage years through perimenopause and menopause, changes in oestrogen and progesterone can dramatically affect how your body reacts to stress.

For example:

• Many women notice increased anxiety in the week before their period. This is partly due to falling oestrogen and progesterone levels affecting serotonin, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical.

• During perimenopause, fluctuating hormones can lead to sudden panic attacks, racing thoughts, or insomnia, even if you’ve never experienced anxiety like this before.

• Sleep can be disrupted by hormonal changes, which in turn heightens stress sensitivity, creating a cycle of fatigue and anxiety.

Your body isn’t “being difficult” — it’s trying to tell you that it’s under pressure and needs support. Understanding this is the first step in reducing self-blame.

The Invisible “Life Load” Women Carry

Women aged 30–65 often juggle multiple responsibilities: work, family, relationships, household management, and sometimes caring for ageing parents. Even when you appear calm and capable, your nervous system may be overloaded.

Signs you may be carrying too much include:

• Constantly feeling mentally exhausted

• Getting irritable over small things

• Experiencing tension or gut discomfort

• Difficulty sleeping or feeling restless at night

• Feeling like you’re “failing” despite doing your best

This “invisible load” is real, and it accumulates silently over time. Unlike a single stressful event, the mental and emotional energy needed to keep everything running smoothly often goes unacknowledged, leaving your body in a state of chronic stress.

Conditioning and Self-Criticism

Many women are socialised to be selfless, capable, and in control. We learn early that showing vulnerability is frowned upon, which teaches us to suppress our emotions instead of expressing them.

So when anxiety rears it's ugly head, instead of taking a break and caring for ourselves, we often add self-criticism to the mix:

• “I should be able to cope.”

• “I’m overreacting.”

• “Other people manage this better than me.”

But anxiety is not a flaw or weakness. It’s a signal that your nervous system is overloaded, and that your thoughts aren't working for you. When we stop judging ourselves for feeling anxious and start listening to what our body is trying to tell us, we can begin to respond with compassion instead of criticism.

How Anxiety Shows Up Differently in Women

Women’s anxiety often manifests in ways that are easy to overlook or dismiss, including:

• Emotional sensitivity: Crying more easily, feeling “on edge,” or getting frustrated faster than usual.

• Physical symptoms: Tight chest, stomach discomfort, headaches, muscle tension, or even sudden dizziness.

• Spiralling thoughts: Feeling unable to switch off your mind, obsessing over “what if” scenarios, or overthinking decisions.

• Sleep disruption: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early with a racing mind.

• Avoidance: Pulling back from social situations, responsibilities, or activities you normally enjoy because your nervous system feels overloaded.

None of these symptoms indicate failure. They are your body and brain signaling that it’s time to slow down, challenge and change your thoughts, reset, and take care of yourself.

You’re Not Overreacting — Your System Is Overwhelmed

Recognising that anxiety shows up differently in women is empowering. It helps you:

• Understand your experience isn’t “just in your head.”

• Reduce shame and self-blame.

• Take actionable steps to support your nervous system.

  
  

Small, consistent practices can make a huge difference:

• Mindful movement: Gentle yoga, walking, or stretching to release tension.

• Breathwork: Simple breathing exercises to calm your nervous system.

• EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): Tapping to release stress and anxiety.

• Journalling: Externalising your thoughts and feelings to gain perspective.

• Professional support: Coaching, hypnotherapy, or therapy to address anxiety at the root.

Ready to Start Feeling Free?

When you stop treating anxiety as a personal failing and start seeing it as a signal from your body and your mind, you open the door to lasting freedom and calm.

If this resonates with you, I can help you release anxiety at the root — so you stop coping and start truly living again.

Book a free consultation call today.

Chris.