The stresses and strains of everyday life can take their toll.

Women, in particular, are busy juggling day-to-day responsibilities that careers and family life bring, so it is no surprise that new figures reveal more than six out of ten hospital admissions for anxiety are among women, with those in their late 60s most likely to be admitted for treatment.

Data for England reveals that 5,440 women needed inpatient treatment for anxiety last year, accounting for 62 per cent of all admissions.

Women aged 60 and over made up the biggest age group, accounting for 28 per cent of all admissions for anxiety.

Most affected were women aged 65 to 69, whereas among men it was the 45-to-49 age group who were most likely to need hospital treatment for anxiety.

The report from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) also looked at hospital admissions for stress.

Alan Perkins, chief executive of the HSCIC, says: “Hospitals have dealt with fewer admissions for anxiety and stress compared to last year, but the higher rates of anxiety in the older generation could be an area for concern.”

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, says: “Many women tend to take the caring role and it is not surprising that when they reach their 60s, the emotional burden of care can become intolerable.

“The majority of the carers who contact us are women who may be responsible for partners facing illness, elderly parents or children.

“Women who find themselves bearing these responsibilities tend to neglect their own physical and mental health until they reach crisis point.”

Keith Nathan, chief executive of Age UK Bradford and District, says: “I think Marjorie is correct in linking the growing numbers of older women experiencing such extreme anxiety with the burden that falls disproportionately on women as carers. In addition, I would cite the increasing and objective difficulties that they and those they care for are facing.

“I would link this is to increasing awareness and concerns about the gaps which are opening up in the help available for older people and their carers.”

Keith refers to the ‘knock-on’ effects of local councils raising the threshold at which people can get help at home from ‘moderate’ to ‘substantial’ needs.

“So there is perfectly understandable basis for the fears and worries that those who shoulder the burden of care are experiencing,” he says.

Pam James, who runs Open House for Seniors in Bradford and Ilkley, says: “With the retirement age rising, I know a number of women who are now facing a longer working life.

“This really bothers them, although I must say I worked until 65 and wanted to, but a lot of women (and men) are not happy in their work as I was, so the thought of it going on longer is not pleasurable.”

Relationship break-ups can also have an impact, leaving many women feeling lonely, isolated and depressed. Pam also ponders whether women may feel their lives aren’t as fulfilled when their children have left home.

“Many women need to be needed. Children have left home and if they are not in a happy, fulfilling relationship with their partner/ husband, there is nothing to fill that gap of looking after children for so many years.

“With people living longer, often women are trapped in looking after elderly parents for years, so there’s no chance to enjoy their later life as they would like to.”

Joan Fenton, who spent her working life in health and education within the pre-school field and is involved in intergenerational voluntary work in Bradford, says: “It is tremendous stress and we’re not offered any hope because you saw a time you could find a job and work and save and had a future, whereas now you are worried about your families.”

She also believes mental health issues are often left too late and there should be more help and support for those presenting with symptoms.

“We need talking therapies before medication and longer times available at the surgery,” says Joan.