Mental Disorder In Women

The effects of poverty, poor nutrition, stress, conflict, migration, and

sickness are other elements that influence women's wellbeing in
addition to biological factors and reproduction. It takes a
comprehensive framework of health for women that covers mental
health throughout the life cycle and in domains of both physical and
mental health in order to approach mental health problems from a
female perspective and mainstream it.First, we offer data showing
that certain mental diseases affect women more frequently than
men and that they are more commonly exposed to social problems
that contribute to mental illness and psychosocial suffering. The
nature and forms of mental diseases in women, risk factors for
vulnerability, and specific concerns including poverty, migration, HIV,
war, natural disasters, and psychiatric challenges associated to
pregnancy will all be covered in the following sections. Additionally,
it will outline important research that has been done in the region
and reflect on efforts at interventions from the standpoint of public
health.

Mental Disorders

Which Mental Disorders Are More Common in Women?

Diverse mental illnesses have different effects on men and women;

some illnesses are more prevalent in women and manifest as
different symptoms in each. Only recently have researchers started
to dissect how different biological and psychological factors affect
both men's and women's mental health and mental diseases. These
variations can be seen in the World Bank's most current analysis of
the disability-adjusted life year statistics. Nearly 30% of the disability
caused by neuropsychiatric diseases in women is attributable to
depressive disorders, compared to only 12.6% in males.

Contrarily, while alcohol and drug addiction accounts for only 7% of

the neuropsychiatric disability in women, it accounts for 31% of it in
men. Numerous quantitative research conducted in societies all
around the world have repeatedly found same tendencies for
depression, general psychological distress, and substance abuse
problems (Murray and Lopez, 1996).

Clinical Profile of Various Mental Disorders in Women

Depression

The prevalence of depression in women is around twice that of men

throughout cultures, according to epidemiological and clinical
studies. According to research, ladies and boys both experience
depression at some point before adolescence and at the end of life.
Scientists believe that hormonal reasons contribute to women's
higher vulnerability because the gender gap in depression is not
apparent until after puberty and disappears after menopause. In
addition, after puberty, women's psychological status and social role
may change, making them more susceptible to stress. Additionally,
depression manifests itself differently in women. They frequently
exhibit symptoms that are medically inexplicable, such as nebulous
aches and pains. While depression in both sexes has been found to
have a similar intensity, women have been found to have higher
rates of functional impairment and suicide attempts than males.
While depression in men typically starts in their twenties, it tends to
start sooner in women and frequently manifests in mid-adolescence
in women. Women are more likely to have recurrent depression, and
the episodes themselves stay longer, according to longitudinal
studies. Comorbid medical conditions are quite prevalent, especially
those involving the thyroid, migraines, and rheumatology.
Additionally, other mental diseases, particularly panic disorder and
straightforward phobia, usually occur with depression in women. In
addition to functional impairment and diagnostic issues, depression
in women is frequently accompanied by other psychiatric diseases
such eating disorders and personality disorders.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias, and

posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the anxiety disorders
that affect more women than males. In addition to having a higher
chance of developing PTSD, women are more likely than men to
experience long-term PTSD and have higher rates of co-occurring
physical and psychological issues.

Depression

This set of illnesses can manifest in a variety of ways. This category

includes mothers who have persistent dysthymia, prenatal
depression that lasts throughout puberty, depression brought on by
recent hardship, and bipolar depression. Infant development can be
negatively impacted by postpartum depression, which can also
restrict interaction and cause frustration that is inappropriately
directed at the kid. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS),
created by Cox et al., is one of the most well-known and frequently
used screening instruments for identifying postpartum depression
(1987). Around the world, this scale is accessible in a number of
languages. Following a high score on this 10-item self-rating
questionnaire, a thorough interview is required to explain the signs
of depression and any co-occurring psychiatric disorders. In addition
to looking for signs of depression, it's crucial to consider the
mother's life history, personality, and current circumstances as well
as her pregnancy's progression, including parturition and the
puerperium, and her relationships with her partner, other children,
her family of origin, and especially the baby. In addition to identifying
vulnerability factors and the availability of assistance, one must
diagnose depression and other diseases.

Treatment and Prevention of Maternal Mental Disorders

The effectiveness of various postpartum depression preventive and

treatment strategies has been evaluated in a number of research.
Interpersonal psychotherapy, nurse home visits, prenatal and
postnatal seminars, debriefing visits, and continuity of care models
are a few examples of these. According to a new meta-analysis on
the effectiveness of psychological therapies in avoiding postpartum
depression, interventions that target at-risk women and are
personalised and carried out after delivery rather than throughout
pregnancy tend to be more beneficial. Postpartum depression has
occasionally been successfully treated with interpersonal
psychotherapy. Psychotropic medications, which include mood
stabilisers, are typically used in the acute treatment of bipolar
disorder and psychosis. Second-generation antipsychotics may be
safer, but more research is required to determine their safety during
pregnancy and lactation. Lithium and various Table 3 shows the
prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety in different
locations. Postpartum depression Postpartum anxiety Country (state)
Percentage ( percent ) Percentage by nation or state ( percent )
Australia India (Goa) 20.4 USA 23 18 China 11.2, Japan, and 17 (Delhi)
Arabia 17 Zimbabwe 15.8 16 Qatar South Africa 13.1 Australia 34.7
14-17 Germany Western populace 11.1 10-15 a O'Hara, M.W., and
Swain, A.M. (1996) provide data from a meta-analysis. Postpartum
depression rates and risk: a meta-analysis. Int. Rev. Psychiatry 8, 37–
54 Mental Health of Women 439 Kendell and others (1987) Terp et al
(1999) Patel, 2002 Pearson(2002) Mood stabilisers can be helpful in
the treatment of bipolar disorders, according to Cox et al. (1987),
provided that they are used under close supervision and after
consultation with the mother and other members of the family.
Antidepressants are recommended for those with moderate to
severe depression, especially when biological processes are
compromised or suicidal thoughts are frequently present. More
severe cases can call for inpatient care, which calls for specialist
nursing and mental care. At least one in five pregnancies result in
postpartum psychosis recurrence, and mothers who have previously
experienced puerperal or nonpuerperal psychosis are at increased
risk. The acute stage of treatment calls for medication due to the
intensity of postpartum psychosis episodes. The short-term
prognosis is typically found to be extremely excellent for postpartum
psychosis, which responds well to treatment (Jones et al., 2014).
There is some proof that prophylaxis administered soon following
birth lowers this risk. Disorders of mother-infant bonding that may
develop as a result of psychological concerns or infant-related
problems are treated based on the underlying reason. Under
supervision or in a progressive fashion, play therapy and baby
massage are frequently highly successful.