Women both from the affluent sections of society and their poorer counter parts in the cities and villages are prone to mental problems. Mental problems are caused because of pressures that relate to gender discrimination, hunger, malnutrition, sexual abuse, domestic violence, humiliation, entrapment and even loneliness. Two very common forms of mental problems are depression and anxiety. SAD, suicidal behavior and eating disorders are the other three that affect mental health in women.
1. SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder
This disorder affects thousands of women across the world. These are winter blues when women experience mood swings from time to time. If mood swings much too often then it becomes a serious issue. The symptoms of SAD are lack of energy, fatigue and a need to sleep longer and laziness or lethargy. Women suffering from SAD will gain weight rapidly as appetite increases and there are immense cravings for carbs and sugar.
They will remain withdrawn, have relationship issues, no sexual urges and will be always anxious. Lack of concentration on various tasks occurs. Seasonal depression sets in during winter and fall. Women living closer to the two hemispheres are prone to this disorder because of daylight changes. Lack of sunlight causes SAD. Light therapy is used to elevate women from this problem. There are special lamps for this.
2. Depression
We all feel sad from time to time. When this feeling of sadness extends to long periods running into even days, then depression is said to have set in. Some women who suffer from this malady find it very difficult to get along in their everyday lives. Depression affects not only mental health, but also physical health, work life and personal relationships. Depression occurs because of the alteration in brain cells known as neurotransmitters. Depression in women can occur after pregnancy, loss of baby or miscarriage, infertility, surgical removal of uterus and during menopause.
Women who have had a bad childhood are more prone to depression in later years. Rape, death of a parent at an early age, and domestic violence also play important roles in causing depression. Symptoms of depression include an irritable mood and a reduction in their love for pleasurable activities. Loss of interest in sex, recurring suicidal thoughts, constant fatigue and lack of energy, weight gain or weight loss and changes in appetite, increased feelings of worthlessness, guilt and hopelessness, insomnia, and lack of concentration are also other symptoms.
3. Suicidal Behavior
Long periods of depression in women can lead them to take the extreme step of suicide. Suicide is a result of depression. Women having suicidal behavior end up fluffing out their own lives. Those women who take to suicide are driven to the extreme step because they cannot cope with their present lives and the need to get away from the situation compels them to take their lives.
The sudden death of a loved one, alcohol dependence, drug dependence, emotional trauma, financial troubles, love failures, serious illnesses or physical injuries and even aging can cause women to consider suicide as an option to end all their troubles. Women with suicidal tendencies should take immediate medical help.
4. Anxiety
It's normal to feel anxious or stressed out at times. When it becomes overwhelming and exists for a long time that it becomes a serious mental affliction. Being stressed or anxious even for small things all the time will affect the quality of their life. Panic attacks can occur and when such attacks happen, the heartbeat speeds up and the affected woman begins to tremble and finds it difficult to breathe.
Anxiety or panic attacks can prevent you from going outdoors to work or even shopping. Some women experience a sense of fear all the time. This is known as phobia. It can be for a thing or a situation. Another mental health ailment is the obsessive-compulsive disorder. It occurs when women try to control their anxiety feelings by doing something again and again. Some women wash their hands repeatedly for no reason or check if the door is locked many times over.
5. Eating Disorders
Eating disorders occur because of depression and anxiety. Either they will gorge on too much of food or they will stop eating food all together. It’s important that women seek immediate medical help even at the slightest hint of depression, stress or anxiety. Mental health is important, so you should ensure that you do your share in maintaining it.
Wonderful article. Most of women facing the many mental problems because of uneducated, low income, lack of support from family or social, most common problem is marriage life, higher rates of trauma related to physical & sexual abuse & concurrent mental disorders than men, especially post - traumatic stress disorders & other mood disorders, etc.