Women’s Issues

Though men and women experience mental illnesses alike, they affect each gender differently. Some disorders are far more common in women and present symptoms differently. In recent years scientists have been beginning to recognize how biological and psychosocial factors contribute to mental health & illness in women and men.

The mental disorders affecting women include the following:

• Anxiety Disorders, including OCD, panic, PTSD, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorders.
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD)
• Bipolar Disorder
• Borderline Personality Disorder
• Depression
• Postpartum depression
• Eating Disorders
• Schizophrenia

Related information from the National Institute of Mental Health

• Information on Women’s Mental Health from the Department of Health and Human Services
• Women’s Health Information and Organizations from NLM‘s MedlinePlus (en Español)
• Surgeon General’s Workshop on Women’s Mental Health
• Information on Postpartum Depression
  • Postpartum depression information from Medline Plus
  • NIH Fact Sheet: Understanding Postpartum Depression
  • HHS Fact Sheet: Depression During and After Pregnancy
  • Depression During and After Pregnancy: A Resource for Women, Their Families, and Friends (HRSA)
• Information on Medications
  • NIMH Mental Health Medications
  • Medications for Depression (FDA)
• Some mental illnesses also carry an increased risk for suicide.

(Source: http://www.nimh.nih.gov)