Anxiety and Sex Hormones

Sex Hormones and Gender Vulnerabilities to Anxiety Disorders

• Bronwyn M. Graham, MPsychol (Clinical), PhD

November 30, 2018

Volume: 

35

Issue: 

11

• Special Reports, Anxiety, Gender Issues

SIGNIFICANCE FOR PRACTICING PSYCHIATRISTS

A cognitive behavioral model of anxiety disorders

FIGURE 2. Theoretical consequences of the interaction between high and low hormonal states and environmental events

Large-scale mental health surveys have consistently shown that the prevalence of anxiety disorders and related conditions is approximately 1.5- to 2-fold higher in women than it is in men.1,2 Despite similar patterns that occur across all anxiety subtypes, this sex difference appears most pronounced for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and specific phobias.