The world is hard on women, and it shows in their health. Women are more depressed than men and have a risk of suicide that’s higher throughout their lives. They’re more likely to be impacted by eating disorders and to have a significantly higher prevalence of PTSD than men.
It can be easy to make light of these problems. We do it with phrases like “crazy cat lady” or “she’s so OCD.” But these disorders are very real, very serious, and disproportionately affect women. Below are some of the mental health disorders that women face at a much higher rate than men. Some may even surprise you.
Eating Disorders
As per ANAD, eating disorder affects almost 9% of the worldwide population. In America, 28.8 million people will suffer from eating disorders at some point in their life.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that can lead to a variety of health problems, including eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes the person to have an intense fear of gaining weight, even though they are underweight. It’s more common in females than males and usually begins when a person is young or in their teens.
They restrict their food intake by making themselves vomit after meals, exercising excessively, or starving themselves, so they lose weight quickly while maintaining the same body size over time.
Bulimia Nervosa is another type of eating disorder where there are periods of bingeing followed by purging through vomiting after meals or using laxatives, for example, taking several pills all at once. This cycle then continues until symptoms appear again, like laxative abuse symptoms such as stomach pains due to constipation caused by these medications.
Anxiety Disorders
As per ADAA, generalized anxiety disorder affects 6.8 million U.S. adults, or 3.1% of its population. Yet only 43.2% of the affected seek treatment.
Anxiety disorders are a group of mental illnesses characterized by intense and excessive worry. While it’s natural to experience anxiety in response to stressful situations, people with anxiety disorders tend to worry about things that most people don’t find worrisome and oftentimes have no relevance or significance.
These fears may also be unrealistic and sometimes keep you from carrying out normal daily activities such as leaving the house or going to work.
Anxiety disorders can range from mild phobias to full-blown panic attacks where you feel like you’re going crazy. Anxiety disorders can also cause other physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate or sweating, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
If you feel you or anyone near you needs help, the first step is to find a good therapist. There are over 198,811 therapists in America. States like Florida have more than 2,580 reputed therapists. People in Florida need to just find an FL therapist to get access to the best mental health care in their state.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you feel, think, and act. It’s a common but serious medical illness that has a negative impact on how you think, feel, and act. Depression can be a short-term or long-term condition.
As per research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 10 women in the U.S. showed symptoms of major depression in twelve months. Moreover, 1 in 8 women that have recently given birth showed symptoms of postpartum depression.
Depression can cause changes in your ability to enjoy life and make you feel hopeless about the future. During an episode of depression:
- Your energy level is low. it’s hard to get out of bed or do things that you normally enjoy doing
- You may have difficulty concentrating on tasks at work or school
- You might lose interest in activities that were once pleasurable, even if they are still enjoyable to others
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Its symptoms can include nightmares, flashbacks, and severe anxiety. Anyone can develop PTSD after being exposed to trauma, but it is more common in women than men.
If you think you may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, consult a therapist immediately for help with treatment options and coping strategies.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. The condition can be hard to treat because its symptoms can be mistaken for other illnesses.
Signs of bipolar disorder include ‘up’ periods known as a mania that alternate with ‘down’ periods called depression. A person suffering from manic highs may feel elated and full of energy while they’re sleeping less than usual or spending lots of money on luxurious items they don’t need. Those who have a depressive cycle may feel sad without reason or have trouble getting out of bed in the morning.
In addition to these dramatic changes in moods and behavior patterns, which often lead to problems at work or school, symptoms also include psychosis (hallucinations or delusions).
Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a mental health disorder that is characterized by chronic instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and relationships. Small things can cause extreme reactions, and inappropriate anger or sadness may be common. There are no specific lab tests to diagnose borderline personality disorder. It’s diagnosed based on symptoms such as:
- Impulsive actions
- Unstable relationships with others
- Self-harming behaviors like cutting oneself or burning oneself with cigarettes
Conclusion
With so many women suffering from mental health issues, it’s important to know the signs and how to deal with them. If you or someone you know seems to be struggling with mental health issues, don’t be afraid to get help.
It might seem like a daunting task, but there are plenty of resources available for everyone. Whether it is calling your local hospital or looking online for support groups, there are many options available so that no one has to go through this alone anymore.