Understanding Gender Differences in Mental Health
Gender plays a crucial role in determining mental health and mental illness. Patterns of psychological distress and psychiatric disorders differ between men and women. Women tend to have higher levels of internalizing disorders, such as depression and anxiety, while men exhibit higher levels of externalizing disorders, such as substance abuse and aggression.
Gender differences are especially noticeable in the prevalence of common mental disorders, where women are more affected. Differences also appear in the age when symptoms start, clinical features, frequency of psychotic symptoms, progression of the illness, social adjustment, and long-term outcomes of severe mental disorders.
Women who abuse alcohol or drugs often link their substance use to traumatic events or stressors. They are also more likely to have experienced sexual or physical abuse compared to other women. Girls from nuclear families and women married at a very young age are at higher risk for attempting suicide and self-harm.
Social factors and gender-specific issues play significant roles in the prevalence and progression of mental disorders in women. Low attendance in hospital settings is partly due to the lack of resources available for women. Additionally, about two-thirds of married women in India have experienced domestic violence.
To improve the mental health of women, concerted efforts are needed at social, political, economic, and legal levels. Such measures can bring positive changes in the lives of Indian women, enhancing their mental well-being and overall quality of life.
