Here’s what to watch out for — plus, a convenient way to find peace.
In your younger years, maybe you waltzed into social settings with the ease of a seasoned diplomat, carefree and confident. But as an adult, that self-assurance might’ve morphed into a dull panic — especially at the thought of leading a work meeting or sharing your thoughts openly during book club. Or maybe you once looked forward to the uninterrupted peace of an early morning flight, but now you can’t sleep for a week before an upcoming trip, as thoughts of potential turbulence or forgetting your real ID race through your mind.
Sometimes anxiety can creep up on us later in life, even when we never had a problem with overthinking or worrying when we were younger. Though there’s been a surge of anxiety and depression reported among young adults aged 18-24, nearly half of adults age 50 and up are also experiencing these symptoms, according to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
According to Jessica Yu, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and senior director of patient experience at Hers, the modern telehealth company, generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common forms of anxiety and may include intense and frequent worrying. Meanwhile, social anxiety revolves around concerns about social settings, and specific phobias focus on certain stimuli.
“In middle age, how anxiety manifests really depends on your specific anxiety,” explains Dr. Yu. “There are a lot of emotional and cognitive symptoms that tend to manifest at this time, such as difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness, and irritability. But physical symptoms are also common, such as gastrointestinal issues like stomachaches or heartburn, and headaches.”
What causes someone to suddenly develop anxiety later in life?
As we age, anxiety triggers become more diverse, Dr. Yu explains. Teenagers and young adults typically experience dread about performance in school, social events, body image, and transitional phases like entering college. “But once you hit middle age, I find that women, in particular, have so much more anxiety about so many more things,” she explains. “They still have those anxieties that people in their late teens and young adulthood experience, plus they’re worrying about whether or not they’ve met life milestones, established their career, found the right partner, started a family, or became a homeowner,” says Dr. Yu. “They feel those pressures plus they’re worried about what’s happening in the world and taking care of sick parents — and if they’ve had kids, they’re worried whether or not they’re doing well in school and developing emotionally and physically.”
If all that has your heart palpitating, we understand. But the question is: How much of middle-aged worrying is a normal or natural part of #adulting, and when does it cross the threshold into a more diagnosable anxiety disorder that could benefit from professional treatment?
When to seek help for anxiety in middle age
“All of worry is part and parcel of life — as we accumulate more responsibilities, roles, and experiences, there’s more we’re going to have on our shoulders to bear,” says Dr. Yu. “However, as mental health professionals, we get worried and encourage people to seek help and resources when the anxiety is having an impact on people’s daily functioning.”
When is too much too much? It may look like being unable to get your work done, finding it tough to get out of bed to start your day, or having difficulty taking care of your kids. “Those are signs that your anxiety is impacting your daily life,” says Dr. Yu. “This is when we would encourage you to get help.”
An effective treatment option for anxiety
Taking a holistic approach toward treatment, where medications are just one component, is Dr. Yu’s first line of defense. She encourages seeking therapy or counseling and incorporating lifestyle changes like practicing mindfulness and meditation, getting adequate sleep, and leaning on your social circle.
Dr. Yu is also an advocate of Hers’ mental health resources and digital platform because of the company’s commitment to making treatment affordable, personalized, and effective. One of the biggest perks? It’s accessible — you don’t need to leave the comfort of your home to see if you qualify for medication, and if you do, your medications will be sent directly to your front door.
Is anxiety treatment right for you?
You can access Hers through the company’s app or website and fill out a secure medical intake form, which asks a host of questions related to your medical (and mental health) history, the treatments you’ve tried in the past, and ones you would consider, as well as any medications you’re currently taking, for example. Then your answers are shared with a medical provider (an MD, a DO, or a certified mental health professional) who’ll review your form and determine the appropriate treatment for you based on your health history, in addition to your needs and preferences.
If treatment is appropriate, the medical provider can help prescribe it, and follow up to see how it’s going. “You always have access to our team of medical providers, 24 hours a day at your convenience,” says Dr. Yu. “In case you have questions, concerns, or comments about your treatment, you can message your provider and they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
Dr. Yu finds it incredibly gratifying to review testimonials from Hers customers: “They share things like, ‘I was struggling trying to access treatment because of insurance or long wait times, but Hers made it so simple.’”
In fact, more than 75% of Hers customers who checked in with their provider reported improvements in their mental health symptoms*. “Even though it’s an online process,” says Dr. Yu, “our customers feel seen and heard while seeking treatment.”
To learn more or to find out if you might benefit from Hers mental health treatment, visit forhers.com.
*Results vary. Data were self-reported between 11/26/2021 and 08/01/2022 by Hers customers who 1) signed up between 11/04/2021 and 05/04/2022; 2) were prescribed antidepressant medication by a provider after their first consultation on the Hers platform; and 3) had an active subscription for such antidepressant medication through the Hers platform within 90 days after signing up. Prescription products require an online consultation with a healthcare provider who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Restrictions apply. See website for full details and important safety information. Controlled substances such as Xanax and Adderall are not available through our platform.
The information provided on this site isn’t intended as medical advice, and shouldn’t replace professional medical treatment. Consult your doctor with any serious health concerns.
