• Hormonal influences such as estrogen and progesterone can affect the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to feelings of sadness or anxiety.
• Social stigma surrounding mental health issues may prevent some women from getting the support they need or speaking up about their struggles.
• Cultural expectations may contribute to increased levels of stress and anxiety that could eventually result in a mental disorder diagnosis.
• Past trauma, especially physical or sexual abuse, can increase the risk of developing a mental disorder and require professional help to manage symptoms.
• Professional help, counseling and medications are all ways women can deal with these problems.
Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with a mental disorder such as depression or anxiety. This is due to various reasons, many of which have been studied and researched extensively by leading mental health experts. Knowing these things is essential so you can help your friends and yourself when encountering these disorders.
Reasons Why Women Are Susceptible to Mental Disorders
There are many reasons why women are vulnerable to mental disorders. Here are some of those reasons:
Hormonal Influences
The first reason women are more prone to developing mental disorders is hormonal influences. Studies have shown that hormones such as estrogen and progesterone play an important role in influencing moods and emotions.
These hormones can affect the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to changes in behavior and feelings of sadness or anxiety over time. In addition, hormonal fluctuations due to pregnancy, menopause, birth control pills, and other life events can also contribute to an increased risk of developing a mental disorder in women.
Social Stigmas
Another factor contributing to higher rates of mental illness among women is the social stigma surrounding mental health issues. Even today, there’s still a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health issues that can prevent some women from getting the support they need or speaking up about their struggles. This makes some women suffer in silence instead of getting their needed help.
Cultural Expectations
Cultural expectations may also explain why more women than men develop mental disorders. Gender roles can dictate how people should act or behave based on their gender identity, which can put pressure on some individuals who don’t fit into traditional gender roles or feel like they don’t measure up to societal demands placed upon them.
This pressure can lead to increased levels of stress and anxiety that could eventually result in a mental disorder diagnosis if not appropriately addressed. It can also ruin their lives in the long run.
Past Trauma
Finally, past trauma has been linked with higher diagnosis rates for different mental health conditions among both genders. It is especially prevalent among women who have experienced physical or sexual abuse at some point. Abuse survivors often struggle with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and depression that may require professional treatment to cope with their past experiences and move forward with their lives without feeling overwhelmed by fear and sadness daily.
How to Deal With These Problems
Thankfully, women nowadays have various ways to deal with these problems. Here are some of them.
Professional Help
Women, especially seniors, require professional help to deal with these disorders. They often need hospice care at home once they’ve developed a mental illness, which includes support from other mental health professionals. With the right resources, women can get the help they need to manage their conditions more effectively and live fuller lives.
Counseling
Another way to deal with these problems is through counseling. In counseling, women can learn how to better understand and cope with their mental health issues. This can give them the support they need to manage their symptoms and live happier lives.
Medications
Lastly, medications can also be used to help deal with these disorders. Medications such as antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, and antipsychotics can help regulate moods and reduce symptoms associated with certain mental illnesses. However, discussing partial side effects and risks with a doctor before taking any medications is essential.
It’s essential for all women – whether they are struggling with symptoms related to a potential mental disorder or not – to recognize the possible factors that could be contributing towards higher rates of diagnoses among female populations so that they can become aware of any risks associated with seeking out help when needed. By understanding these four reasons why women are more susceptible to developing mental disorders than men, we hope you are better equipped with knowledge about how best to take care of your emotional well-being moving forward!
