Mental health problems are a growing epidemic–in fact, the most extreme cases can often the be a cause of crimes, suicide, or other aggressive behaviors. When not addressed properly, mental health problems can affect the individual’s level of functioning and quality of life. Both men and women are affected, but it appears that quite some women are more likely to be diagnosed with these problems.
Why are mental health problems more common in women?
According to expert Julie Queler, there are many reasons why mental health is more common among women than men:
- Brain chemistry – women are more susceptible to brain chemical changes. This is because women are more attuned to their feelings in response to the surroundings, and this could affect the way they perceive and develop thought. The formation of thoughts can alter the way the mind thinks, which ultimately affect a woman’s brain chemistry.
- Double standards in society – everywhere we see, there are portrayals in the media that impose double standards for women. Whether it’s the desire to stay slim, to be a put-together wife, mother, or any other role, or other occupation-oriented pressures, it seems that women take on a lot of social stigmas that can affect their psyche.
- Hormonal changes – women are also prone to more hormonal fluctuation, especially during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. These hormones can affect women who are already susceptible to mental health problems.
Given the reasons stated above, it is important for women to take care of their mental health. What are the mental health issues that women must be aware of the most?
4 Mental Health Issues That Affect Women More Than Men
Depression
Depression is twice as likely to happen to women more than men. This is because of a woman’s brain chemistry, which processes serotonin much slower than the male brain. Serotonin is also known as the “happy hormone” that people feel when they are validated, they feel significant, or acknowledge that they can do what they please.
In this scenario, more men are known to get serotonin easily from physical activities, but women can get them in lesser amounts doing the same activities. As a result, some women appear to be depressed due to the lack of this brain chemical.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an umbrella term that presents themselves as an array of disorders. In a recent study by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), women are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety compared to men. Majority of the women suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), phobias, or panic attacks.
As mentioned above, women’s brain chemistry is designed to process positive-triggering chemicals compared to men. Additionally, women are also more prone to stress during certain points in their lives–being mothers, going through puberty, or coping with milestones in life. For some reason, more women have difficulty coping than men which results in a diagnosis.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Many would assume that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) more commonly occurs to men more than women–this simply isn’t true. In actuality, more women suffer from the condition as a result of traumatic events such as sexual assault or rape.
It is a horrifying statistic to discover that 1 in 5 women will experience some form of sexual assault or rape, and this is why women are more prone to experiencing PTSD at some point in their lives. Aside from rape, women may also have PTSD brought about by domestic violence, abuse, or other forms of crimes done against them.
Eating disorders
According to Julie Queler, a skewed self-image and a compulsion to keep on losing weight are what brings women to suffer from conditions such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, or Binge eating. These disorders are more common in women than men because of the standards imposed by media towards women and their bodies.
Eating disorders commonly affect women starting in their teens, but it could persist even later in life. As a result, many women risk losing their health due to this disorder.
Mental health is all about understanding oneself and the causes of the disorder. When women seek information and help regarding their problems, the chances of recovery will drastically improve.
