Many people wonder if men and women experience similar mental health challenges. While there are some mental health concerns that seem to affect all genders equally (for instance, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia), there are also some behavioral health concerns that are more commonly seen in women. Today, we will take a look at women’s mental health challenges and the issues that women’s mental health services must address in order to provide comprehensive health care to 50% of the population.
Women’s Mental Health: Is It Different?
While many symptoms of mental health challenges in men and women are the same, there are some mental health disorders that are more commonly diagnosed in women. Those diagnoses include depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
Additionally, there are some aspects of women’s emotional health and physical health that are unique to women. For example, some women experience symptoms of depression at times of hormone changes that men do not experience, such as…
Depression during or after pregnancy (perinatal or postpartum depression)
Depression around the time of their period (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, previously known as premenstrual syndrome or PMS)
Depression during the transition into menopause (perimenopausal depression).
It is imperative that behavioral health care providers who treat women be aware of these crucial times in a woman’s life and look out for emotional and mental health changes. Like most mental health concerns, the symptoms of these depressive periods can be treated with the help of a licensed practitioner and potentially through therapy or med management.
Women’s Mental Health Statistics
Women are more likely to experience mental health challenges than men, with one in five women (19%) reporting mental health concerns versus one in eight men (12%). Here are some other women’s mental health statistics that help to illustrate how women’s health differs from that of other genders…
53% of women who have mental health problems have experienced abuse.
About 23.4% of women in the United States experienced an anxiety disorder in the past year, compared with 14.3% of men.
Women are twice as likely to experience PTSD as men are.
Young women, or those between the ages of 16 and 24, are three times as likely to experience mental health problems as men in the same age group.
Self-harm and suicide attempts are more common in women, although men are three times more likely to die from suicide than women.
About 10% of pregnant women and 13% of women who have just given birth experience a mental health disorder brought on by pregnancy and/or birth, illustrating the crucial importance of postpartum mental health care.
Women are twice as likely to suffer from major depression as their male counterparts.
Women are three times as likely to experience eating disorders as men.
None of these women’s mental health statistics are meant to imply that mental health for men is less of a concern. Men experience their own set of mental health concerns and obstacles to receiving treatment. In short, men and women can experience mental health differently from each other, and there are some disorders and challenges that are more commonly diagnosed in one sex versus another.
What Affects Women’s Mental Health?
There are a number of factors that affect women’s mental health, including poverty, abuse, trauma, sexual violence, and women’s roles in the home and workplace. Research from the Mental Health Foundation found that when women are struggling to talk about their feelings, they tend to internalize them, leading to a higher risk of depression, eating disorders, and self-harm. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to act out on negative feelings through anti-social or disruptive behavior.
Women are more likely than men to experience poverty as well as physical and sexual abuse, which can have a long-term impact on mental health and cause PTSD. Women are also more likely than men to work solely in the home, which can often lead to isolation, as well as to be caregivers, which can be a source of stress and anxiety. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health disorder, it is important to reach out to a behavioral health professional to get help. It is never too soon to take the first step toward living a more fulfilling, whole life.
On a more positive note, there are some factors that work in favor of women’s mental health. Women tend to have stronger social networks than their male counterparts and often find it easier to confide in friends. They are also more likely to seek treatment for a mental health problem. At Triumph Behavioral Health, we specialize in women’s health issues and have some of the best therapists in Maryland on our staff to support all of our clients. Reach out to us today to schedule your same week therapy appointment and get started formulating your unique, individualized treatment plan with insights from our talented staff.
The Importance of Women’s Mental Health Services
Individuals of any gender can experience mental health challenges at any time during their lives. Women are likely to experience a specific set of mental health concerns as unique barriers to receiving and seeking care. With that in mind, education about women’s mental health disparities and care techniques remains an important topic in today’s professional discourse.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation discovered that women have a more difficult time getting time off from work in order to access mental health treatment. The study found that nearly 25% of women couldn’t get the care they needed due to professional or familial responsibilities that kept them from taking the time to do so. Additionally 25% of women postponed or skipped mental health care due to costs.
There is no one solution to these problems, but providing specialized health care for women’s mental health services at affordable prices is an excellent way to get started. For women who are considering seeking care, there is never a bad time to do so. Here at Triumph Behavioral Health, we are a Maryland wellness center that specializes in behavioral health care, medication management, and women’s health among other focus areas. We would love to work with you to help you live a more rewarding, fulfilling life with your best mental health possible.
Get in touch with us today to get started. At Triumph, we care.