1. “Feeling Anxious All the Time? You’re Not Alone”
PS: If you’re looking for immediate help with your anxiety, please contact Proactive for her to book an appointment with our doctors.
Work well. Get certifications. Ace your exams. Hit your targets. Chase your passions. Post that perfect Instagram story. Meal-prep. Gym. Side hustle. Socialize. Every day, women in India are told to "do it all", but no one tells them how heavy "all" can feel. When was the last time you took a breather and enjoyed where you are right now? Sometimes the weight of these responsibilities becomes a little too much for our body and mind, which puts them on overdrive.
At Proactive, we hear this every day: “My mind won’t stop racing, but I’m functioning on the outside.” You’re attending work every day, scoring decently well in your tests, and even showing up for your friends, but sometimes your mind goes on the scariest roller coaster rides at the most inconvenient times. Maybe you’ve even told yourself, “It’s just stress, I’ll get over it.” But what if it’s more than that?
If you’re a woman in India- smart, juggling studies, work, relationships, and life- feeling exhausted by your own thoughts, know this: your pain is valid, and help exists. We’re India’s first women-led clinic offering anxiety care designed around your life. Our psychologists specialise in anxiety, and we’re here to help you find relief, without judgment.
You can view our list of experts here and choose whom you want to partner with to start your healing journey. All our experts come with prior experience and are trained to give non-judgmental care and listen without any biases.
2. Understanding Anxiety in Women
Anxiety doesn’t always look like what people expect. It’s not just nervousness before an exam or a job interview—it’s deeper, heavier, and far more exhausting. It shows up in ways that might surprise you:
- A tight chest that won’t loosen
- Spiralling thoughts at 3 AM
- Constant dread about things that haven’t even happened, but feel terrifyingly real.
- Feeling irritable or on edge, even when nothing’s wrong
The societal pressure adds another layer to anxiety in women. Especially in India, we are constantly thrown questions about so many different things, and it’s frustrating how we’re expected to have it all figured out. We are constantly pressured to act a certain way and present ourselves in a certain way.
Along with the pressure to build a solid career comes the pressure to settle down and work on family and marriage as well. This is often followed by anxiety about fertility and keeping up with the biological clock without falling off the career ladder all while maintaining the perfect work-life balance that gives you enough time to satisfy every relative’s expectation. Postpartum anxiety and depression is a whole different conversation. Many of our patients say, “I thought I was overreacting.” But here’s the truth: your nervous system is in overdrive, and that’s not your fault. And it’s definitely not something you can "just push through”.
You’re not "too sensitive." You’re not "weak." You’re navigating a world that constantly demands more from you while offering little support in return. And when your body and mind scream, "I can’t do this anymore," it’s not a sign of failure—it’s a sign that you’ve been pushing too hard for too long.
Anxiety isn’t something you can yoga away or ignore into submission. It’s a real, physical response to stress—and it deserves real, compassionate care.
At Proactive For Her, we don’t tell you to "just relax." We listen. We help you untangle the mess of expectations, guilt, and fear. And most importantly, we remind you:
You don’t have to carry this weight alone.
3. Why It’s So Hard for Women to Seek Help
Let’s be real—asking for help feels scary.
You’re the one who always figures things out. The dependable daughter, the high-performing employee, the friend who gives great advice. So when anxiety creeps in, the first thought isn’t "I need help"—it’s:
❝If I can handle everything else, why can’t I handle this?❞ The people around you might further contribute to this thought process through words like:
- “Just meditate, you’ll be fine.”
- “Everyone feels stressed—why can’t you handle it?”
Here’s why that’s a lie:
The Shame Trap
In a culture that glorifies "sacrifice," needing help feels like failure.
- "I don’t want to be a burden."
- "What will people think if I can’t cope?"
- "I should be stronger than this."
Sound familiar? This shame keeps women silent—until their bodies force them to listen through exhaustion, IBS flare-ups, or panic attacks.
The "I’m Fine" Mask
Indian women are experts at hiding pain. We’ve been taught to:
✔ Smile through discomfort
✔ Downplay our needs ("It’s just a headache")
✔ Prioritize others’ comfort over our own survival
This is basically "Functional Anxiety" where you’re meeting every external demand while internally drowning. Coupled with the age-old question of “Log kya kahenge”, most women decide it’s best to not seek help.
Especially in Indian families, mental health is still whispered about. But you deserve more than just “managing.” At Proactive, our all-women team gets it. We know anxiety hides behind smiles in Indian homes. You don’t have to pretend here.
4. Who Treats Anxiety (and What’s Right for You)?
If you’ve come so far you’re probably wondering, "Okay, I need help—but what kind?" The world of mental health care can feel overwhelming, so let’s break it down simply. Here’s a quick guide:
Psychiatrists
- Medical doctors who specialise in mental health
- Can prescribe medication (like SSRIs) if needed
- Best for: Severe anxiety, panic attacks, or when therapy alone isn’t enough
Psychologists
- Experts in evidence-based therapies (CBT, DBT, etc.)
- Help you rewire anxious thought patterns
- Best for: Chronic anxiety, phobias, or if you want long-term coping tools
Therapists/Counsellors
- Focus on emotional support and processing
- Great for stress, life transitions, or trauma
- Best for: When you need a safe space to unpack feelings
At Proactive, we offer all three under one roof and provide personalised recommendations based on your needs. No confusion, no judgment.
5. How to Find Anxiety Doctors Near You
Google searches like “anxiety doctors near me” can feel overwhelming. How do you know who’s safe, skilled, and stigma-free?
⚠ Common pitfalls:
- Online listings: Hard to tell who’s trauma-informed.
- Referrals: Well-meaning, but might not prioritise your comfort or might not be the right fit for your situation.
- Directories: Often list male providers without women-specific expertise.
Look for:
✔ Women-led clinics
✔ Non-judgmental, feminist care
✔ Specialists who understand Indian cultural pressures (“Log kya kahenge?”) and don’t use terms like "hysteria" or "overemotional".
(Psst: That’s exactly what we built Proactive For Her for.)
✔ Look for places that offer a body-mind approach and understand that anxiety lives in both your brain and body (gut issues, muscle tension).
6. What to Look for in a Doctor or Therapist
Finding a mental health provider isn’t like picking a dentist—you’re not just looking for technical skill, but for someone who gets you. Here’s what actually matters:
The Must-Haves:
Credentials + Human Connection
- Yes, check their degrees (MBBS for psychiatrists, M.Phil/PhD for psychologists).
- But also: Do they listen more than they talk? Do you leave sessions feeling heard, not judged?
Specialisation in Women’s Mental Health
- Ask them specific questtions related to your lived experiences: "Have you worked with women dealing with…?"
- Hormonal anxiety (PMS, PCOS, perimenopause)
- Postpartum or fertility struggles
- Career burnout + "having it all" pressure
✅ Cultural Fluency
- They should understand:
- The "log kya kahenge" paralysis
- Family pressure to "just get married and you’ll be fine"
- How caste/class background affects your anxiety
The Dealbreakers:
❌ Rushed Appointments
- If they’re checking the clock 10 minutes in, they’re not your person.
❌ One-Size-Fits-All Solutions
- "All my patients do yoga and feel better" = code for "I won’t tailor care to you."
❌ Dismissive Language
- "You’re too young to be stressed" or "This is normal for wives/mothers."
Remember: First sessions are interviews. It’s okay to say "This isn’t a fit."
7. What to Expect from Anxiety Treatment
If you’ve never been to therapy or taken medication for anxiety, the process can feel mysterious—even scary. Let’s demystify it.
Therapy
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy): Rewires the "what if" spiral thoughts ("I’ll fail" → "I can handle this")
- Somatic Therapy: Releases anxiety stored in your body
- Narrative Therapy: Reclaims your story from "I’m broken" to "I’m responding to real pressures"
Medication—Only If You Need It
- SSRIs (like sertraline): For long-term chemical imbalance (6+ months of daily anxiety)
- Short-term meds (like lorazepam): Emergency use only (panic attacks, flights)
Holistic Practices
- Nervous system resets: Vagal breathing to short-circuit panic
- Lifestyle tweaks: Reducing caffeine (it mimics anxiety symptoms!)
- Body-first healing: Giving equal importance
8. When to Get Help
It’s the question so many women agonize over: "Am I just going through a tough phase, or is this anxiety?" Here’s how to tell:
✔ Your anxiety has overstayed its welcome (2+ weeks of daily dread)
✔ Your body is sounding alarms: racing heart, constant headaches, nausea are all symptoms of anxiety.
✔ Your sleep is disrupted. You cannot get yourself to sleep on time no matter how tired you are or you do not feel refreshed even after getting adequate sleep.
✔ Guilt has become your default emotion ("I should be happier/doing more/handling this better")
Why Proactive For Her (Trust-Building Section)
At Proactive For Her, we believe asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s the bravest thing you can do. We’re India’s first women-focused healthcare clinic with anxiety specialists, therapists, and gynaecologists under one roof. Whether you’re battling sleepless nights, postpartum overwhelm, or the weight of "having it all together," our doors (and hearts) are open. You don’t have to perform, justify, or apologize for your anxiety here. Just come as you are.
Our care is warm, confidential, and designed to feel safe — even for first-timers. 1,000+ women have walked this path with us—your turn doesn’t have to be lonely. Whether it’s your first time asking for help or your tenth, you’re always taken seriously here.