Women's Mental Health

True or False

100

Approximately 1 in 5 women experience some form of depression during their lifetime.

True - In 2025, studies reveal that women are twice as likely as men to develop clinical depression. 

200

Women of color do not face significant mental health disparities, including higher rates of certain conditions and lower rates of treatment compared to white women. 

What is False? These disparities stem from various factors, including systemic racism, socioeconomic inequalities, and cultural barriers. 

300

Depression is not the leading cause of disability among women.

False - Depression is now surpassing even heart disease

400

Stigma no longer impacts women who deal with mental health issues.

 False: Fear of judgment:Women may fear being labeled as "weak" or "crazy" if they seek help for mental health issues. 

500

Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions that affect men more frequently than women

False - 

• The lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders in women is around 23%, compared to 14% in men. 

Mental Health Disorders

100

• Persistent sadness, feeling down, or blue
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness
• Irritability or mood swings
• Anxiety or worry

What is depression? 

Physical symptoms can include - 

• Fatigue or lack of energy, Changes in appetite or weight, Sleep disturbances (insomnia, excessive sleeping), Aches and pains, Headaches
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• Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions, Memory problems, Slowed thinking or speech, and Feeling overwhelmed or out of control. 
  
  

  
  

  Behavioral: 

  
  

  
  Withdrawal from social activities, Neglecting personal hygiene or appearance, increased substance use (alcohol, drugs), Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

200

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Panic Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder:.
Phobias
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Selective Mutism

What are Anxiety Disorders?

300

A mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, including periods of intense emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). These mood swings can significantly impact a person's energy, activity levels, and ability to think clearly.

Bipolar disorder

Types of Bipolar Disorders:

Bipolar I Disorder:.Characterized by at least one manic episode, with or without depressive episodes.

Bipolar II Disorder:Characterized by at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode.

Cyclothymic Disorder:.Characterized by periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don't meet the criteria for full manic or depressive episodes. 

400

Disorganization, forgetfulness, difficulty managing time, and emotional dysregulation

What is ADHD? 

Inattentive Traits:

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  Difficulty paying attention to details:Women with ADHD may make careless mistakes or struggle to focus on tasks, particularly those that are boring or repetitive. 

  
  

  
  

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  Easily distracted:They may have difficulty staying on task due to easily being distracted by thoughts or external stimuli. 

  
  

  
  

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  Forgetfulness:Women with ADHD may struggle to remember important information, appointments, or tasks. 

  
  

  
  

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  Disorganization:They may struggle to stay organized at home, work, or school, leading to missed deadlines, misplaced items, and difficulty with time management. 

  
  

  Procrastination:Women with ADHD may procrastinate on tasks or delay completing them until the last minute. 

  
  

  
  
  

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity:

While less common, women can still exhibit hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, which may include:

• Fidgeting or restlessness: Feeling restless, needing to move, or having trouble staying still. 

  
  

  Talking excessively: Talking too much or interrupting others without realizing it. Emotional and Social Challenges:Emotional dysregulation:.Opens in new tabWomen with ADHD may experience intense emotional responses, mood swings, and difficulty managing their emotions. 

  
  

  Difficulty with relationships:.Opens in new tabThey may struggle to maintain healthy relationships due to impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty with communication. 

  
  

  
  Low self-esteem:.Opens in new tabWomen with ADHD may experience feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and difficulty with self-confidence. 

  
  

  Mental health challenges:.Opens in new tabThey may experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges related to the impact of ADHD on their lives.
  
  Why ADHD is Often Misdiagnosed in Women:

  
  
  
  
  
  Impulsivity: Making quick decisions without thinking through the consequences, such as impulsively spending money or quitting a job.
  
  
  
  

  
  

  • Social conditioning:.Opens in new tabGirls may be more likely to internalize symptoms and not exhibit outward hyperactivity. 

    
    

500

Anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating

what are eating disorders? 

As many as 20 million American women will develop an eating disorder. Women account for 85 to 95 percent of these diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Binge eating is most common, affecting 3.5 percent of women. Bulimia affects 2 to 3 percent of women.

Brain chemistry and hormones may also be factors. Sometimes traumatic experiences or verbal abuse may play a role. Girls who take part in gymnastics, dancing, modeling or other image-conscious activities may be more prone to developing eating disorders.

Society also plays a role in women having unhealthy ideas about their body size. Photos of celebrities with drastic weight loss can send the message that extremes are normal and healthy.

Facts About Women and MH

100

Women's mental health is important because....

 

Some mental disorders are more common in women than men, including depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.

There are also disorders unique to women. For example, some women experience symptoms of depression at times of hormone change, such as: 

• During or after pregnancy (perinatal depression)
• Around the time of their period (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
• During the menopause transition (perimenopausal depression)

200

Factors that contribute to women's hesitation in seeking mental health treatment

What is including stigma, societal expectations, financial limitations, and logistical challenges. 

Other issues include reluctance to acknowledge symptoms and lack of support for mothers from partners, family members and healthcare professionals (HCPs); a lack of ability for women to talk about their feelings openly due to perceived social pressures and stigma, resulting in feelings of shame and fear of losing custody of their children. 

300

Risk factors for women's mental health include....

• Female gender
• History of trauma or abuse
• Family history of anxiety disorders
• Hormonal fluctuations (e.g., during pregnancy, menopause)
• Medical conditions (e.g., thyroid disease, heart disease) 

400

Causes of Mental Health Disorders include.....

• Biological factors: Hormonal fluctuations, brain chemistry differences
• Genetic factors: Family history of anxiety disorders
• Environmental factors: Stressful life events, trauma, medical conditions
• Psychological factors: Perfectionism, negative self-talk, rumination 

500

Symptoms of women's mental health disorders are 

• Persistent sadness or feelings of hopelessness
• Noticeable changes in mood, energy, or appetite
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Appetite or weight changes
• Misuse of alcohol, drugs, or both
• Decreased energy or fatigue
• Excessive fear or worry
• Seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Extremely high and low moods
• Aches, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear cause
• Anger or irritability
• Social withdrawal
• Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
• Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

Coping Strategies

100

Walking, swimming, Silver Sneakers, yoga, pilates, running....

What are exercises? 

Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. It also reduces stress hormones, such as cortisol, promoting relaxation and calmness.

200

The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique

 What is a mindfulness exercise that uses your senses to bring you back to the present moment. It can help calm anxiety or panic by shifting your focus from overwhelming thoughts to your surroundings.

300

A practice that involves focusing the mind and achieving a state of calmness and clarity

What is a technique that involves training your attention and awareness, while reducing distractions and judgments 

Benefits of Meditation:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves mental well-being
• Enhances emotional regulation
• Increases self-awareness
• Promotes mindfulness
• Enhances sleep quality
• Boosts cognitive function 

400

1. Define your goals
2. Consider your insurance and finances
3. Referrals from people you trust
4. Search through local resources
5. Use trusted online databases
6. Research national organizations
7. Ask your therapist questions
8. Trust your gut

What are tips for finding a good therapist? 

500

Cognitive behavioral therapy, Acceptance and Commitment therapy,  DBT, EMDR 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):CBT helps individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to mental health issues. It uses practical strategies to improve quality of life and manage symptoms. 

  
  
• Psychodynamic Therapy:This type of therapy delves into the unconscious mind and explores how past experiences and unresolved conflicts influence present-day behavior and mental well-being. 

  
  
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT):IPT focuses on improving interpersonal skills and relationships, recognizing that difficulties in social interactions can impact mental health and well-being. 

  
  
• Other Therapies:

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT helps individuals accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to taking action towards their values. 
    
    
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): DBT is a specific type of CBT that emphasizes emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, often used for conditions like borderline personality disorder and PTSD. 
    
    
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a therapy used to process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional impact of trauma. 
    
    
  • Exposure Therapy: This therapy gradually exposes individuals to feared situations or objects to help them overcome anxiety and develop coping mechanisms. 
    
    
  • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): MBCT combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy to help manage thoughts and feelings related to stress and depression. 
    
    
  • Supportive Therapy: Supportive therapy provides encouragement and guidance to help individuals build self-esteem, coping mechanisms, and social skills. 
    
    
  • Art Therapy: This therapy uses creative expression, such as art-making, to improve emotional well-being and process difficult experiences. 

EMDR helps the brain reprocess memories of the traumatic event so the negative images, emotions and physical feelings they cause h...

Self Care

100

Eating balanced meals, staying hydrated, and getting regular physical activity contribute to both physical and mental well-being

What is developing healthy habits? 

200

Maintaining meaningful relationships with supportive friends and family  

What are Social connections?

300

Writing down thoughts and feelings can help with self-awareness and processing emotions.

What is journaling? 

400

Self-care vs coping strategies 

What is Self-care involves prioritizing personal needs and well-being, while coping strategies are techniques used to manage stress and difficult situations. Incorporating both into your daily life can significantly improve your overall mental and physical health. 

500

Learning to say no and protect your time and energy is essential for managing stress and maintaining balance.

What is Setting Healthy boundaries: