Hello friends,
Since embarking on my psychology journey, I always wondered about the gender differences within mental illness and if there really are any. Of course, there are tons of mental illnesses listed in the DSM and tons of different paths I could take on this discussion, so I am going to try to keep this general with what I have found in my research and what I have learned from my professors.
First of all, the right answer in psychology is usually, "it depends." However, with more data at our fingertips than ever, statistical analysis, and the TONS of research studies done, gender differences in some mental illnesses are a little more understood than other topics within the field. Also, I recognize that there are more genders than just male and female; however, most of the research on this topic has been conducted using these demographics, so the discussion will primarily focus on individuals who have identified themselves within these groups.
Although there has not been as much research done on other gender groups, I did find a study comparing the mental illness type and prevalence differences between trans and/or gender-nonconforming youth and their cisgender counterparts. This study, done by the American Association of Pediatrics, finds that trans and/or gender-nonconforming youth have a higher prevalence of mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorders when compared to the rates shown in their cisgender counterparts. Due to societal influences, these findings make sense. Gender nonconforming and/or trans youth have to go through and deal with many challenges that their cisgender counterparts do not. Pair having a terrible support network and dealing with adversity that can be hard to navigate---even with a good support network---and the difference in mental illness prevalence rates between gender non-conforming and/or trans youth with their cisgender counterparts should not too surprising. Not to mention, society has been slow in adapting and accepting change, especially within people.
At the end of the day, I hope that these statistics open your perspectives and help you help others when they are in need of support in the future. No matter who you are, you are susceptible to mental illness, and everyone needs a good support network when going through life's hardships.
Regarding men and women, consistent findings have been shown in studies regarding the prevalence of anxiety and mood disorders between the two groups. Turns out, findings from multiple studies have shown that women are more likely to have anxiety or mood disorders compared to men. On the other hand, men are more likely to have substance abuse issues and antisocial personality disorders compared to their female counterparts. Once again, nature and nurture both play a role here, as societal experiences and genetics both play a role in the development of mental illness.
Furthermore, Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) data suggests that women are more likely than males to obtain and seek out treatment. Usually, women face less of a stigma when seeking out mental health treatment compared to men. Although the situation has improved slightly, society has hypermasculinized men to the point where a lot of males feel embarrassed or ashamed for seeking out mental health treatment. For women, the feelings of shame, embarrassment, etc. are usually less impactful as society's views on the two genders differ greatly.
This is a little aside, but I feel that it's necessary. The previous study shows how influential perspectives and attitudes can be among humans. That is why you should always treat people with kindness, show empathy, and try to offer support when you can. It really doesn't matter who you are or where you come from, mental illness can affect anyone, and no one should ever feel ashamed for needing help. Would you feel bad if you went to get treatment for cancer or a broken arm? No. Then, you shouldn't feel bad for getting medical treatment for your mental health. That is all.
Furthermore, according to a study done by the American Psychological Association, there are common gender differences between men and women in the experience of emotions in certain mental illnesses. For example, the study finds that
women with anxiety disorders are more likely to internalize emotions while men with anxiety disorders are more likely to externalize emotions. Additionally, the differences between the emotional manifestations between men and women with mental illness account for part of the variance seen in the prevalence rates of mental disorders between genders.
In all honesty, gender differences like the ones mentioned above should be expected considering that there are actual physical differences between the male and female brain. Not to mention, a lot of current human behavior can be traced back to instinctual roots. In other ways, human behavior can be "hard-wired." If this sounds interesting to you, I would definitely go ahead and check out more about evolutionary psychology and human behavior.
Overall, differences in mental illness between genders should be recognized and used as a way to better influence positive changes within society. I hope this blog was informative and provided more insight into why differences exist in mental illness between genders.
As always, I hope whoever is reading this has a lovely rest of the day! Remember to focus on the little things and find time for yourself each day, even if it's just a few minutes.
Until next time,
Allie