Women can experience mental health issues that impact their everyday life. These can include mood disorders and anxiety, eating disorders or problems with relationships.

Research of higher methodological quality and contextual awareness is needed for women’s mental health. For example, the menstrual cycle can impact how psychiatric drugs are metabolized by women’s bodies.

Stress

Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension caused by life's challenges and demands. In short bursts, stress can be positive, but when it is constant or lasts a long time, it can have a negative effect on your mental health and even lead to serious physical symptoms.

Women often experience high levels of stress, especially those who are working in the so-called 'do it all' generation. Juggling a career with caring for elderly parents, raising children and, in some cases, being the sole breadwinner can cause significant stress.

Chronic stress can increase the risk of developing depression, anxiety and other conditions. It can also make symptoms of existing mental health conditions worse. This can impact women disproportionately, particularly as pandemic protocols have impacted access to healthcare and many workplaces have shut down.

Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that can affect people of all genders. However, there are some unique issues that can impact women more than others.

These may include hormonal changes that occur during puberty, menstruation, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), pregnancy, childbirth and perimenopause. These hormonal changes can cause women to feel depressed more often and at a greater intensity than other men and women.

In addition, many of these hormone changes can cause women to have a more difficult time dealing with stress and anxiety in their daily lives. This can be due to a number of reasons, including the fact that women are more likely to take on more housework and childcare responsibilities than their male counterparts. This can be a huge source of stress and anxiety.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a condition that affects people of all ages. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, hormonal changes, and stress.

Like other mental health conditions, anxiety can be difficult to diagnose. It can also be difficult for women to get help because they may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their symptoms.

Symptoms of anxiety include general jumpiness, muscle tension, ringing in the ears, difficulty sleeping, and feelings of being overwhelmed. It can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, and chest pain.

There are a number of things that can help with anxiety, such as exercise, taking time for self-care, and reducing the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink. You can also find relief by talking to a therapist.

Self-harm

Many young women who self-harm have serious underlying distress, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder. However, they may not be getting the treatment they need because self-harm is stigmatised and can be interpreted as attention seeking or manipulative.

Parents often feel unable to cope with their child's self-harm, and they experience a range of emotional responses including anger, guilt and stress. They may also find themselves unable to sleep because they are on edge and worried that their child might harm themselves in the night.

If someone you know is self-harming, try to talk to them about it in a non-judgmental way. Tell them that self-injury isn't their fault and that people who hurt themselves are not crazy or dangerous. You can also reassure them that they can get treatment.

Relationships

Women’s mental health can be impacted by major life transitions such as pregnancy, motherhood and menopause. Other issues like infertility, societal expectations and unequal economic conditions can also cause emotional and physical stress.

Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, can be triggered by certain events, such as intimate partner violence or sexual assault. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, disproportionately affect women and girls. Women can also develop premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which causes severe irritability and mood changes during the week before a woman’s period begins.

In addition, women from marginalized communities, including people of color, those with disabilities and LGBT individuals, may face additional challenges when seeking treatment for mental illness. They may feel stigmatized by their peers or by the medical profession.