Why We Need To Pay Attention to Women’s Mental Health

In terms of the significance of female mental health treatment and their families, it’s important to consider what their issues with mental health differ from that of males. Research suggests that women are more susceptible to problems with their mental health including depression partly due to the different brains of women and men.

It is not uncommon to hear about gender distinctions, which have been ingrained into our culture and society. The gender disparities have also been incorporated into research on mental health and treatment.

While there has been progress in the reduction of stigma around the mental health issue There is more work to be accomplished in this field, specifically with regard to the differences in the state of mental health in different genders.

It is crucial to all mental health services providers as well as patients to be aware of what gender can impact on the treatment and diagnosis of mental health concerns.

How Does Mental Health Differ Between Genders?

Gender and sexual orientation are significant factors in determining mental wellbeing and mental illness. In order to be precise, sex refers to differences in biological makeup between females and males. Gender is a term used to describe different roles that women and men play in society, as well as the behavior displayed by both genders within society.

The emergence of mental health problems generally results from genetics, as well as the roles that a person’s experience plays within the society. The genders of different people have distinct experiences. A combination of both influences how psychological health problems manifest.

Studies have also revealed that there are significant distinctions between males and females with regards developing mental health issues. This includes eating disorders as well as post-traumatic stress disorder anxiety, depression.

In identifying the root causes behind gender-based differences regarding mental wellbeing, more individuals will benefit from improved precision in diagnosing disorders of mental health and appropriate, targeted treatments.

A Closer Look at the Differences Experienced

Depression

One of the most prevalent mental health issues that people have to deal with is depression. Women are twice as likely to experience depression in the course of their lives compared to males. Genetic, gender, social and economic distinctions each play an important role in the onset of depression among women.

Major depressive disorder is responsible for significant amounts of disability in all countries. Depression disorders cause greater than 40% of disabilities in women. Men, depressive disorders represent just below 30% of the disability.

Anxiety

Anxiety is another common mental health condition which women have twice the chance to be affected by than men. Testosterone, which can be present in greater amounts for men and women It has been proven to possess antidepressant as well as anxiety-reducing benefits. Women are also most likely to get treatment with anxiety issues than men. This can lead to an increased rate of diagnosis for women.

Trauma

A majority of people that are subjected to violence conflict, civil wars the displacement of families from homes and natural disasters are women as well as children. Around 20% of females will be victims of rape or attempted rape at least one time in their lives. The risk is increased of becoming a victim of mental illness. Females are subjected to greater amounts of sexual assault and are more likely to suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is associated with sexual assault.

The condition of PTSD is very widespread mental health issue that’s very prevalent. When someone thinks of PTSD typically, they think of those who have been exposed to conflict violence. Although this may be one reason that women suffer from, they are also twice more likely to suffer PTSD than men.

The development of PTSD among women may occur due to domestic violence such as sexual assault and many other experiences that cause trauma. Females are more prone to experience serious signs and symptoms due to PTSD.

Eating Disorders

Women are affected by eating disorders greater than males. They are associated with obsessive thoughts as well as behaviors related to physical appearance, and weight.

Disorders of eating are a serious mental health concern, however they may be accompanied by other disorders, such as anxiety and depression.

Most people struggling with anorexia and bulimia are females. The majority of people suffering from disordered eating binge are females too. The eating disorders affect females and girls. In a research study on Massachusetts middle schoolers, about 6percent of girls engage in excessive weight control behaviors monthly which includes vomiting, as well as taking pills to manage their weight.

Although there is no conclusive cause, studies have revealed that behavioral, genetic, psychosocial, social and cultural influences all play a role in the formation of eating disorders. Self-esteem issues and being under pressure to shed weight are commonly mentioned as causes in patients who suffer from eating disorders.

Suicide

Females are more likely try suicide, despite the fact that the males are less likely to be killed by suicide. Females with more physical manifestation of the symptoms are more likely to try suicide after the first suicide attempt. It is important to remember that simply because a person may not succeed with an attempt to commit suicide does not suggest that they cannot endure the problems because of it.

Sociocultural Imbalances

The pressure and expectations of society which women have to deal with daily may increase the likelihood to develop mental health problems. The society’s higher esteem females who appear physically attractive, compassionate and caring, as well as intelligent.

Contrary to this, men consider themselves to have greater value when they are more trustworthy, possess the ability to succeed in their profession or finances and show the qualities of leadership or ambition.

The pressure resulting from multiple social duties and excessive work has been found to contribute to the poor mental health of women. Females are also more prone to suffer discrimination due to gender, compared to males. The result is that they are more likely of having a mental health problem.

Variations in Health Care

Medical professionals and women can be quite distinct from communication between male medical practitioners and doctors particularly in the developing world.

In certain countries, communications is often monitored by the government or by other authority. This makes revealing mental and emotional distress harder. It is possible to have implicit bias towards gender, in which people subconsciously assume certain beliefs concerning a specific person or a group of individuals. This could lead to being overtreated and undertreated by women. In the end, it could be harder to ensure that women receive the proper medical attention.

In keeping these points in mind, doctors will be able to meet the demands of women patients, especially in the care of patients with severe mental health problems.