Women's Issues
Mental disorders affect women and men almost equally. However,
certain disorders, such as major depression and dysthymia (a less severe
but often more chronic form of depression), affect women much more than
men. For example, an estimated 12% of U.S. women, in contrast to 6.6%
of men, will experience a depressive disorder during a one-year period.
Additionally, anxiety disorders affect approximately 2-3 times as many
women as men. The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
also occur more frequently in women; together they affect up to 2% of
adolescent girls and young women, and the prevalence of both is
increasing. Finally, females are more likely than males to be victims of
childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and rape.
Women are also reared to be responsible for families and
relationships which brings added stress - they are often raising
children in single parent homes, or working both in and outside the
house with little help or support. In addition, mood disorders related
to reproduction, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PDD) and
postpartum and perimenopausal depression can cause significant
functional impairment in women. Genetic, hormonal, life stress and other
psychosocial factors all appear to play a part in the origins and
course of mood disorders leaving women at a much higher risk.
Psychotherapy can be highly effective in helping to identify underlying
problem areas while finding more adaptive coping responses to deal with
the many stressors in a modern woman's life. Call now and begin your
recovery process 954-927-0790.
