Women’s Mental Health

There are clear differences between the sexes in the types of mental disorders.

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience common mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychologically based somatoform disorders (somatization). This phenomenon is attributed to several factors, including hormonal explanations and matters related to reproductive health, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Social roles also play an important part. In patriarchal societies in general, women experience violence and injustice at higher rates than men, and they have less financial independence. This weaker social position places them under greater psychological pressure, not to mention the various forms of violence women experience in our society. Although violence does not inevitably cause a woman to develop a recognized mental disorder such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder, it is extremely harmful and psychologically destructive. It leaves scars on her brain and damages her self-image over the long term.

Availability of psychological treatment services for women

Despite these high rates of mental disorders among women, they seek treatment services far less often than would be expected or appropriate. Data from mental health clinics show that two-thirds of patients are men! If this indicates anything, it is that barriers are preventing women from accessing treatment. For example, some women say they have to sneak away from their husband’s family to attend, that their husband has intervened and stopped their medication, or that their family prevents them from receiving treatment for fear that it could harm their future prospects of marriage. Women may also refrain from disclosing violent abuse unless doctors ask them about it directly.

We know that people who receive mental health services face social stigma and discrimination, but when that person is a woman, the social cost is doubled for her.

Mental health is a right for everyone. A woman’s mental health affects the health of every member of her family. Do not deny women access to it!

Download the Tatmeen app for online psychological and family consultations from the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also register on the Tatmeen mental health website for valuable information and practical tools to support your mental health.