Women & Mental Health
Even though it is true that the stigma surrounding mental health issues has faded over time, women are still as likely to encounter stigma as men - particularly when it comes to addiction.
Sex and gender differences are important determinants of mental health and mental illness.
Research has also shown that there are significant differences between genders when it comes to the development of common mental health disorders. These include eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
One of the most common mental health disorders someone might struggle with is depression. Twice as many women experience depression at some point in their lives when compared to men. Gender, genetic, social, and economic differences all play a role in the development of depression in women.
Anxiety is another very common mental health issue—one that women are twice as likely to experience as men. Testosterone, which is typically found in higher amounts in men than women, has been found to have antidepressant and antianxiety benefits. Also, women are more likely to seek help for anxiety than men. This may contribute to a higher diagnosis rate in women.
Trauma
The overwhelming majority of individuals who are exposed to violent conflicts, civil wars, displacement from home, and natural disasters are women and children. About 20% of all women will experience rape or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime. This may increase the risk of developing a mental health issue.
Women are exposed to higher levels of sexual violence and have higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) associated with sexual violence.
PTSD.
When people think of PTSD, they often think of people exposed to combat violence. While this is one factor, women are twice as likely to experience PTSD as men.
PTSD in women can develop following domestic violence issues, sexual abuse, and other traumatic experiences. Women are also more likely to develop serious symptoms as a result of PTSD.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders impact women much more than men. Eating disorders involve obsessive thoughts and behaviors that are associated with food, body weight, and appearance.
Eating disorders represent a significant mental health issue but can also occur in tandem with other conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders.
Suicide
Women are more likely to attempt suicide, even though men are more likely to die by suicide. Females who reported having a higher physical manifestation of symptoms were more likely to attempt suicide again after their first attempt. It’s important to note that just because someone may not be successful in a suicide attempt does not mean that they will not continue to struggle with lifelong complications as a result.
Pressure caused by multiple societal roles and overworking has also been shown to account for poor mental health in women. Women are also more likely to be discriminated against as a consequence of their gender when compared to men. This could increase their chances of developing a mental health issue.
Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders can affect both the individual and their peer circles, impacting one’s relationship with an individual’s family members, friends, and colleagues.
Addiction to drugs or alcohol often has a unique impact on a person due to a variety of factors, often including differences in brain chemistry. As a result of these differences, women may have a harder time quitting certain substances. Women may also require assistance with childcare and eldercare when they are trying to receive treatment for alcohol and substance use issues.
• It is not unusual for women to use smaller amounts of certain drugs for a shorter time frame before they become addicted when compared to men
• Women may have stronger drug cravings that make them more likely to relapse after seeking treatment
• Differences in brain chemistry can impact how women respond to certain drugs and substances
• Women who are victims of domestic violence are at an increased risk of developing substance misuse issues
Hormones & Mental Healh
There are major mental health issues that can develop surrounding pregnancy, and women may not be able to find the care they need for these issues. Women are also more likely to be responsible for raising children than men. This means they may not be able to find adequate childcare services that otherwise allow them to seek mental health treatment.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression goes beyond the “baby blues” most women experience in the days after giving birth. Symptoms include feeling hopeless, empty, and sad. 8-15% of women will experience post natal depression.
As many as one in five women develop a mental illness during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. Suicide is a leading cause of maternal deaths in the UK within a year after childbirth.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Similar to PMS but is more serious. Symptoms are severe irritability, depression, or anxiety in the week or two before a menstrual period begins.
Perimenopausal Depression
As women transition to menopause (a period called perimenopause), their risk of depression increases. The declining levels of estrogen during this time may bring on depression. Guidelines for diagnosing and treating this type of depression are still a grey area which impacts how women receive care and support when reaching the period in life for menopause.
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