There are some mental health conditions that occur more often in women and may play a significant role in the woman’s overall health. Mental health conditions that commonly occur in women include:
Anxiety and specific phobias – These include mental health conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and social phobias. Women are more likely to have panic disorder, generalized anxiety and specific phobias than men.
Eating disorders – These are disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating disorders. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that commonly occur in women. Women with eating disorders either eat too little or too much. Extreme eating or dieting is not normal or healthy.
Depression – This is a serious mental condition that causes symptoms of feeling sad, hopeless, helpless, and difficulties staying focused and remembering or making decisions. Depression is not normal and may interfere with your regular daily activities.
Postpartum depression – people with postpartum depression experience mood swings, crying spells, anxiety and difficulty sleeping after childbirth. Baby blues normally begin within the first 2 – 3 days after delivery and may last up to 2 weeks.
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) – This is a serious condition that causes overly worry about your appearance or about minor or imaginary physical flaws. Most women worry about their appearance sometimes and are not happy about some parts of their bodies.
Bipolar disorder – This is a serious medical condition that causes swings in a woman’s mood, energy and ability to function properly. These mood changes are called manic and depressive episodes and are not the same as the normal ups and downs that affect everyone from time to time.
Treatment
To help treat women’s mental conditions, Dr Matshaya may recommend the Women's Health Program, which helps address unique ways women experience mental illness, treatment, recovery, and care. During a Women’s Health Program, mental health and well-being are promoted for all women by building peer support and resources to help women manage and treat mental health conditions that affect them.
FAQ
"Do not only go through pain but grow through pain"
JOEL OSTEEN
FAQ
HOW IS A PSYCHIATRIST DIFFERENT FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST?
A psychiatrist is a qualified doctor that specialises in the medical treatment of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. Psychiatrists can assess both mental and physical aspects of psychological conditions and are able to prescribe appropriate medication.