Why Anxiety is Rising Among Canadian Women & What We Can Do About It
Introduction
Over the past decade, anxiety among Canadian women has quietly - but significantly -increased. According to Statistics Canada (Stephenson, 2023), the 12-month prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) rose from 2.6% in 2012 to 5.2% in 2022. Even more strikingly, rates nearly tripled among young women aged 15-24 – from 3.8% to 11.9% – during the same period (Stephenson, 2023).
If you’ve been feeling on edge, tense, or unable to “turn off” your thoughts, you’re not alone. Anxiety has become one of the most common mental health challenges facing Canadian women today.
The Perfect Storm for Worry
Why are so many Canadian women experiencing higher levels of anxiety? Several overlapping factors contribute to this growing trend:
Chronic role strain. Constant demands to balance work, caregiving, and societal expectations leave little time for recovery or rest.
Hormonal transitions. Pregnancy, postpartum changes, and perimenopause can heighten emotional sensitivity and amplify stress responses.
Digital overstimulation. Continuous online engagement fosters social comparison and being in “alert mode,” activating the brain’s stress response systems.
Global uncertainty. The ongoing effects of the pandemic, climate change, and the rising cost of living create a sense of chronic unease.
Together, these factors mean that women’s nervous systems rarely get the rest and regulation they need.
When Normal Worry Becomes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Worry is a normal and adaptive human experience – it helps us anticipate challenges and prepare for the future. However, when worry becomes persistent, excessive, and difficult to control across multiple areas of life, it may indicate Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Common symptoms of GAD can include:
o Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
o Easily fatigued
o Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
o Irritability
o Muscle tension
o Sleep disturbance
These symptoms can cause significant distress and/or impairment in daily functioning at home, work, or in relationships.
If you can relate, it doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with you nor does it necessarily mean that you meet the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Rather, it may simply mean your nervous system has been operating in overdrive for too long, trying to protect you from uncertainty or perceived threat. Over time, this constant state of vigilance can become exhausting.
The good news is that with the right support and evidence-based strategies, you can learn to return to a steadier, calmer baseline. That’s where Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help.
How Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Can Help
CBT is one of the most effective, evidence-based treatments for anxiety. It offers practical tools to help you identify and shift the thought patterns that keep worry alive – so you can feel more grounded, capable, and confident in managing uncertainty.
Through CBT, you can learn to:
o Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns
o Build tolerance for uncertainty
o Calm your body’s physical stress response
o Develop long-term coping strategies for steadiness and resilience
The Mind-Body Connection
Anxiety is not just a mental experience, it’s physical. A racing heart, tight chest, or stomach discomfort are signs of the body’s stress response. Approaches that combine somatic awareness, grounding exercises, and diaphragmatic breathing can help retrain your body to move out of chronic tension and back into a calmer state. When the body relaxes, the mind often follows.
The Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health
Periods of hormonal and life transition – especially pregnancy and postpartum – can heighten vulnerability to anxiety. Research suggests that up to 20% of new or expectant mothers in Canada experience perinatal mood or anxiety disorders (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health [CAMH], 2023).
Perinatal psychotherapy provides a supportive space to explore fears, identity shifts, and feelings of guilt that can surface during this time.
How I Can Help
If you’re looking for anxiety therapy in Toronto - or virtual therapy across Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick – I would be honoured to help.
As a female CBT therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience, I focus on working with women navigating anxiety, perfectionism, and major life transitions across the reproductive lifespan. I understand how deeply interconnected the mind and body are, and I tailor therapy to meet your unique needs.
I work with women who:
o Feel stuck in cycles of worry or perfectionism
o Struggle to relax even when things seem “fine”
o Are navigating transitions like pregnancy, postpartum, motherhood, or perimenopause
My approach is warm, evidence-based, and collaborative. Together, we’ll build the tools to calm your mind and body, and help you restore confidence in your ability to cope – so worry no longer runs your life.
Ready to Get Started?
You don’t have to go through this alone. If you’re ready to take the next step toward feeling calmer and more in control, reach out for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We’ll explore your goals and determine whether working together feels like the right fit.
I offer secure virtual sessions across Ontario and select provinces in Eastern Canada.
With evidence-based CBT therapy, you can learn to quiet your mind, regulate your body, and build resilience for whatever life brings next. Worry doesn’t have to be your default setting – it’s simply your body’s way of asking for care.
Book your free consultation phone call today by emailing me at: marcie@drmarciedudeck.com.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2023). Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. https://www.camh.ca/en/professionals/treating-conditions-and-disorders/perinatal-mood-and-anxiety-disorders
Stephenson, E., 2023, “Mental disorders and access to mental health care.” Insights on Canadian Society.” Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 75-006-X. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/75-006-x/2023001/article/00011-eng.pdf?st=KxIBXNG3
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this blog is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog and visiting this website does not create a therapist-client relationship. While I am a registered clinical psychologist in Ontario, the content on this website is not intended as clinical guidance for individuals outside of a professional therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing distress or need mental health support, always consult with a qualified mental health professional or physician. In case of an emergency, contact your local emergency services (e.g., call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room of a hospital).