COMMON CONDITIONS WOMEN EXPERIENCE

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One in every three Americans struggles with a mental illness, but the rate is much higher in women. Research (APA, 2020) suggests women are 40% more likely than men to develop anxiety and depressive disorders. Women are twice as likely to develop post traumatic disorders, with about 10% of women developing the condition after a traumatic or life altering event (i.e. death of a loved one, dealing with a medical diagnosis) as compared to just 4% of men. The epidemic of mental illness among women is often discounted or disregarded, and even ignored as the result of "hormonal changes" and assumed genetic gender differences. Research in the field of both women studies and mental illness prevalence, still does not indicate why mental illness is more common among women. Identifying the specific factors that play a role in this challenge is not easily accomplished. For the most part, despite all the accolades found in modern day research, there are no absolutes as to why women pervasively struggle greater than man. So far, researchers have pointed to a number of possibilities. 

According to World's Health Organization (2020), rates of psychiatric disorders are almost identical for men and women, but definite gender differences are found in the patterns of mental illness. To that, gender determines the differential power and control men and women have over socioeconomic determinants and mechanism of their mental health and lives, social position, status and treatment within society and susceptibility to specific health risks. Gender differences occur particular in the rates of common mental disorders; depression, anxiety and somatic complaints. 

While each woman is different, there are shared experiences among women as they live out their lives. The following list is comprised, not limited to, mental health issues women experience. There are many issues women may face throughout their lifespan, and while each woman is different, and thus may struggle with varying issues, all women can present in their own unique manner. Likewise, a woman may present with one symptom or many within a single mental health disorder, or a combination of several symptoms amongst several mental disorders. Read through the following brief descriptions of some of the most common female prevalent conditions, this can be a helpful guide in identifying what you or a loved one may be experiencing. Our practice is here to help women identify their feelings and symptoms.

• Depression - More than just feeling sad, depression is a chronic illness that can plague a woman for a particular period or can be ongoing for her entire life. Depression affects the mind as well as the body. Depression has many emotional and physical symptoms, and in severe cases, women may experience suicidal thoughts. Some of the most common signs of depression are feeling hopeless, lack of motivation, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, isolating oneself socially, irritability, and overall persistent sadness.
• Anxiety - Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety in their lives, whether it’s worrying about an upcoming social situation or feeling overwhelmed with life in general. For some, an anxiety disorder may be present, which can be debilitating. Women who suffer from anxiety disorders can find carrying out even the simplest daily tasks to be overwhelming causing stress and panic. The most common anxiety symptoms are obsessive thoughts, distractibility, feeling nervous, racing heart, difficulty breathing, sleep disruptions, and rumination about past traumatic events.
• Addition/Dependence/Abuse - Terminology matters. Addiction specialists use the following words in specific ways. Addiction. The term does not appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), but incorporates elements of both substance abuse and dependence. Addiction involves craving for a particular substance, inability to control its use, and continued use despite negative consequences. Dependence. According to the DSM-V, people who are dependent on a substance exhibit at least three of the following symptoms or behaviors over a period of time, typically for a year or longer: greater tolerance for the substance, withdrawal symptoms, ongoing desire to quit using, loss of control over use, preoccupation with the substance, less focus on other meaningful activities or commitments, and continuing use in spite of negative consequences. Abuse. The DSM-V uses this term to describe people who use a substance excessively on a regular basis, in spite of incurring legal problems, endangering themselves, jeopardizing relationships, or falling through on major responsibilities. But they do not yet show signs of dependence — such as a psychological compulsion or physical need to use the substance.
• Eating Disorders - When people think of eating disorders they typically think of anorexia and bulimia, however, there are many other types of eating disorders including binge eating disorder and orthorexia (unhealthy obsession with healthy eating- food quality, not quantity) . Eating disorders are not all about food, and the disorder and associated behaviors are a symptom of a deeper issue. The underlying issue is different for each person, a common thread is typically rooted in a person’s beliefs about themselves from early childhood. When a woman suffers from an eating disorder, it’s common for her to have low self-worth, experience feelings of depression, social isolation, anxiety around eating and weight gain, and have obsessive thoughts about food. 
• Postpartum Depression - A form of clinical depression, is postpartum depression occurring after childbirth. Postpartum depression can begin immediately following birth or can take some time to present develop. In some women, it can subside in a few weeks while others may struggle for years, especially if they do not receive help. The severity of postpartum depression spans a wide spectrum, from mild sadness to postpartum psychosis. The most prevalent symptoms of postpartum depression include loss of appetite, low energy and motivation levels, irritability, anxiety, lack of bonding with the baby, and sleeplessness.
• Bipolar Disorder - A mood disorder caused by an imbalance in  brain chemistry. Bipolar disorder can begin suddenly or develop slowly over time. The general presentation is characterized by severe mood swings from displaying high-high to low-low, or between mania and depression. While mood swings are normal for everyone, suffering from bipolar disorder may be debilitating. The clinical presentation of bipolar disorder symptoms is variable amongst the diagnosed population as one women may experience several mood cycles each year (non-rapid cycling), while other’s moods may change from depression to mania daily (rapid-cycling).
• Borderline Personality - Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by negative thoughts and disturbances. The emotional effects caused by borderline personality disorder makes it difficult for a person to maintain daily consistent behaviors whereas even the smallest setback in a day can seem catastrophic and overwhelming. Women who have borderline personality disorder experience feelings of fear, racing thoughts, flight of ideas, lack of emotional regulation, paranoia, reckless behavior, irritability, depression, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, and violent outbursts. 
• Domestic Violence - There are many types of domestic violence, some taking place in childhood and others as an adult. Domestic violence has various forms: emotional, physical, verbal, financial or psychological. Some of the most common ways that domestic violence presents itself are through name-calling, stalking, violence, humiliation, and manipulation by the abuser. When a woman is in an abusive relationship, she may feel worthless, depressed, isolated or anxious. Women who are in violent or abusive relationships often come to believe that they deserve to be abused.
• Sexual Abuse - Sexual abuse can take many forms, from sexual harassment to rape, but the underlying thread is that the abuser exerts power over their victim through unwanted sexual acts. Sexual abuse can occur to any gender, women are, by far, most commonly victimized. Women who have suffered from sexual abuse often blame themselves, rationalizing the abuse as their fault or for behaving a certain way. While the sexual abuse itself is hugely traumatic, women who have been sexually abused also often experience depression, anxiety, traumatic stress disorder, and struggle to establish relationships.
• Discrimination - Throughout history women have experienced many forms of oppression, and many of these sexist or discriminatory practices continue today. Women still struggle with equal treatment and pay in the workplace, sexual harassment, derogatory comments from men, feeling unsafe in certain situations, and general feelings of oppression. Woman who have experienced being discriminated against or treated unfairly, can suffer mentally. Some women come to believe they deserve this type of treatment and develop feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression after experiencing persistent gender discrimination.
• Hormonal Changes - While every woman experiences hormonal changes throughout her life, some women can struggle with these changes and experience both mental and physical difficulties as a result. The most significant hormonal changes that women experience are puberty, pregnancy and the postpartum period, and menopause. Many women struggle with the physical and emotional changes that take place in their bodies during each of these hormonal phases and may experience mood changes. The emotional challenges that occur with hormonal changes can leave many women susceptible to anxiety and depression.
• Infertility - Infertility can be a devastating experience for women. Most women assume they will be able to get pregnant when they are ready, yet this is not the reality for many women, resulting in feelings of despair, hopelessness, and self-blame. Common symptoms for women who are struggling with infertility experience are depression, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and jealousy or resentment.
• Low Self Esteem/Self Worth - Many women experience low self-esteem at some point in their lives, but for others, this is a more serious concern. Self-esteem issues often have deep roots that may be traced back to childhood, an abusive relationship, or bullying. When a woman experiences self-esteem issues she may experience obsessive negative thoughts, feelings of being unloved, helplessness, feeling unwanted, insecurity, and may be attracted to destructive relationships that validate these feelings. These feelings associated with low self-esteem can add to an ongoing cycle of shame and self-loathing that is difficult to break without seeking help. 
• Grieving and Loss - Emotions associated with bereavement is an individual and gradual process for anyone experiencing the death of a loved one. Similarly, grieving can be different depending on the mental health of a woman prior to the death, age of a woman, relationship significance between the loved one who passed and the woman, and how the death of the loved one was experienced or occurred. There are some common characteristics of grief, although not every woman experiences all of them and many symptoms occur separately. A variety of symptoms can come about with great intensity and frequency while others can occur more mildly and infrequently. Symptom variability makes each woman unique as they experience grief. Grief is a process so many women will encounter throughout their lifespan. (see additional section- Grieving Group Therapy)
• Illness and Mental Health - Receiving a devastating medical condition, such as cancer, heart disease, auto immune disease, diabetes, transplant donor/recipient, and many other medical conditions can precipitate a change in emotions as a woman is learning to cope with their illness. Women are faced with dealing with an emotional roller coaster, fatigue, body alterations, all while still caring for their families and sometimes even a hectic work schedule. Many of these illness and medical conditions induce depression, anxiety and mood disturbances. Additionally, many women, who tend to be the sole caretakers of their families, can also experience a significant change in their emotions and mood stabilization if a loved one is diagnosed with a significant illness. The supportive role, as a caregiver, is onerous and requires great amounts of resiliency and strength. Women often automatically take on these roles and experience pressures from their numerous obligations and responsibilities. (see additional section - Illness and Mental Health)
• Opioid Use Disorder - OUD is a public health crisis vastly affecting women of all ages. Once these women enter treatment, they have specific needs and require a broad range of medical, mental and behavioral health, and social services. Care coordination with several medical and mental health care providers is important to manage the array of services needed a woman will need in different settings. (see additional section - Opioid Use Disorder and Buprenorphine Management)