What’s the Issue?

Your mental health involves a balance of every aspect of your life: physical, emotional, social and spiritual. When a person is mentally ill, the problem can be minor or it can be severe. One in four people will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year.

Depression is very common and can affect anyone regardless of his or her age, gender or race. Everyone feels sad once in a while but when those feelings start interfering with everyday life, a person may need to seek help. There is evidence that depression is related to changes in certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that affect our thoughts and mood.

Everyone feels anxious from time to time: their palms sweat, their hearts pound, or they may feel out of breath and uncomfortable. It usually passes and most people can cope with it. For some people, these feelings are a part of everyday life. These people may suffer from an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders ranging from simple fears to panic disorders.

Schizophrenia is a long-term, severe disease of the brain. People with schizophrenia have speech and behaviour problems. They often have a hard time caring for themselves and may hear and see things that aren’t really there.

Why Should I Care?

Depression affects roughly one in ten Americans. If you’re a woman, your chances are two to three times that of a man. Men and women experience depression differently. Women seem to suffer from sleep and appetite problems more than men. Some studies suggest that depression could be higher in girls because they are more likely to dislike the way they look, starting at puberty.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, affecting more than 19 million people. Women are much more likely than men to suffer from an anxiety disorder. Women are also more likely to experience panic attacks.

Equal numbers of men and women have schizophrenia, but men seem to get the disease earlier. Men and women respond to medications for schizophrenia differently and women often require additional treatment including antidepressants and mood stabilizing medication.

What Can I Do?

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness is very important for recovery. Being a woman puts you at greater risk for certain mental disorders. Know the warning signs and cautiously look for them in yourself and those close to you. Be sure to discuss any issues or concerns with your health care provider.

http://www.womenshealthresearch.org