To ask if you worry more after turning 40

[Hellosummertime]

Since I turned 40, I seem to be worrying more in general eg re health or even everyday things
Has anyone else’s anxiety increased after 40?
Just wondering if it’s common to worry more as you get older

For me it was the other way round. My main worries have always been financial so once I was past 40, things were easier. I was more than half way through the mortgage so it had shrunk a bit. I was 20 years into a career so pay was better.

So perhaps it depends on the type of things you worry about.

Sounds to me like you are going through peri-menopause. Anxiety and worry are classic symptoms.

Yes, turned 40 in December and my own mortality is feeling more real. If it's premenopause I guess you'd be anxious about other things too.

I worry more about health.
Having reached to other end of 40, nearing 50 I have a young child and so think about future health a lot.

I have a huge weight of responsibility on my shoulders knowing that I need to be around and well for my little one for another 15-20 years to finish bringing him up.
I’m far far more laid back about everything else. Mostly because I can’t be arsed about stuff.
I just can’t be arsed.

Ha!I have been that way my entire adult life,lol...

Nope! Much more relaxed here at 41
And definitely not pre-menopausal as pregnant with first baby.
I don’t think turning 40 means anything, if life is good then anxiety is reduced. There’s probably something else behind it that is manifesting as worry.

I’m 40 soon. Health worries have increased dramatically of late. Lost both parents (dad died in his late 50s, mum v early 60s). My daughter is young. I can’t bear the thought of not being around for her.

I am awake worrying now. I'm peri-menopausal and constantly worry nowadays.

@RefuseTheLies That's understandable in the circumstances. Sorry you had to experience the loss of your parents so young.
My parents are 70 and in excellent health, very active and Dad still hasn’t retired (through choice). My grandmother lives independently at 93 so no such worries here, they have such great lives that getting older is something I’m looking forward to in some ways.

I survived it! In many ways life is simpler than in my 20s.

And l still get laid regularly

For me it has been the other way around.

Nope. Have loved being in my 40's. Mortgage paid off and DC are 19 & 17. More money and more importantly free time for me! Now approaching 50 - bring it on it say!

I found around this age it seemed more stressful things were happening around me in terms of mums at school with breast cancer, other illness, along with parental health and at the same time as dealing with DC - which all together brings anxiety. Most of us by the age of 40 will have experienced some severe stress of some kind or death in family / friends as well.

And that is also with having mortgage nearly paid / older children. Finances can only protect so much. A wealthy friend just paid off their mortgage and retired in mid 50s will a good civil service pension. Planned to travel. Now their child in their 20s developed a rare cancer of the lung. never smoked.

User- that’s awful , sorry to hear that .
Aquamarine- I did wonder re being peri menopausal- although I didn’t fully appreciate that worrying was a classic sign It may explain a lot Sleeping pattern isn’t so good either so that may be due to peri menopause also....

I'm 38 and have started worrying about everyone I love's mortality very often, I could cry right now. What makes it worse for me is that I can't have children so the idea of being old and reliant on people I haven't even met yet really scares me

mid 50's, mortgage paid off 5 years ago, dc grown up and leaving home, feeling really positive about things and the future, very happily married for 22 years, great love life, confident in myself and don't give a damn for what people think of me. apart from a mh condition, life is good.

cluecu that is so sad, do you have a partner or a close friend/ relative you can share your concerns with ?

Yes I do.. I have a wonder DH and amazing family and friends... I think I just hate the idea of losing them and bring alone one day. I'm quite an upbeat person in everyday life