ANXIETY is “PINK“

Woman is different from man!

Now, one might think, like most diseases, anxiety is a “democratic status” in which it is uniformly distributed and does not take into account gender, socioeconomic status, and age. In fact, findings from a recent collection of studies have shown that the prevalence of “anxiety” disorder is higher in women than in men, a difference that occurs not only in adults but also in adolescents [1]. This higher prevalence, most often related to cultural, anthropological and social influences, has an origin related to neurobiological factors. Indeed, biologically, one is inclined to “suffer” differently. This gender gap could be the result of differences in the hormonal imbalances that characterize the various stages of life ranging from adolescence to menopause and thus can generate anxiety and depression. This results in a different management of such disorders  that changes in relation to hormonal cycles. Neurologically, women are also different from men. Studies have shown that in women, the activation of the amygdala (brain area involved in the management of mnemonic processes and fear) is greater when subjected to emotional visual stimuli, suggesting a more developed sensitivity to negative emotions. Indeed, in female subjects there is an altered anatomy of this region, which plays a predominant role in emotion regulation [2]. Taking into consideration the data analyzed in a study published by Dr. Cerasa, women, by carrying a genetic variant of the 5-Httlpr gene, a gene that regulates the expression of the serotonergic neurotransmitter, are more anxious than men having the same variant since a dysregulation of the neurotransmitter itself is observed [3]. Women are characterized by an innate process of “overthinking” such us  a  continuous brooding of thoughts, not entirely logical and very often negative, which get entangled  and result in anxious/depressive attitudes. Thinking too much not only does not help to solve the problems but leads to complicate them, thus creating a “funnel effect” that does not allow you to freely thinking  and express emotions. Consequently, it can be affirm that anxiety, as well as other purely female disorders (anorexia and bulimia), is an “internalizing” disorder, condition that affects subjects who aim to internalize everything happening around them! Anxiety disorder in the male gender, on the other hand, is under-diagnosed and can be manifested  through emotions such as irritability, anger, and impulsivity (“externalizing” disorder) [4]. The realization that “anxiety is pink” is mandatory in order to prevent that this disorder becomes chronic. Intervene, taking into account all the social and biological diversity, in a targeted and timely manner, allows for more definitely effective therapeutic approach.

Bibliography

[1] Farhane-Medina NZ, Luque B, Tabernero C, Castillo-Mayén R. Factors associated with gender and sex differences in anxiety prevalence and comorbidity: A systematic review. Sci Prog. 2022 Oct-Dec;105(4):368504221135469. doi: 10.1177/00368504221135469 [2] McRae K, Ochsner KN, Mauss IB, Gabrieli JJD, Gross JJ. Gender Differences in Emotion Regulation: An fMRI Study of Cognitive Reappraisal. Group Process Intergroup Relat. 2008 Apr;11(2):143-162. doi: 10.1177/1368430207088035 [3] https://www.quotidianosanita.it/scienza-e-farmaci/articolo.php?articolo_id=18214 [4] Rosenfield, Sarah. “Gender and dimensions of the self: Implications for internalizing and externalizing behavior.” (2000)