One of the biggest challenges facing the health sector is the fight against mental illness. To begin, serious illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety are often difficult to diagnose. But perhaps the greatest obstacle to treating mental health disorders is the societal stigma associated with the disease. Patients are discouraged from seeking treatment for certain mental health disorders in women, especially as women are more susceptible than men to many common mental health conditions. Places like local accident and emergency among others can be of help to tackle these challenges, follow more to understand these challenges and their causes: This is a quick look at how women are affected differently than men by common mental health problems.
Depression:
In addition to being more than men to get the disease, some types of depression are unique to women, NIMH explains. Mental disorders associated with changes in female hormone levels include perinatal depression (anxiety that occurs before and after childbirth, the latter known as postpartum depression), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopause-related depression.
Anxiety
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as a “severe anxiety or worry” experience for several days over a six-month period. Other anxiety disorders include panic disorder, obsessive disorder, social anxiety disorder (or social phobia), separation anxiety disorder, and phobia-related disorders (such as fear of flying, fear of heights, or fear of specific things). While 19% of all adults in the United States reported having anxiety disorders in the past year, the proportion was significantly higher for women than for men (23.4% versus 14.3%).
Eating disorder
Twice as many women in the United States are affected by eating disorders than men – 20 million vs10 million, according to data compiled by the National Nation Disorders Association. The causes of the disease are very mysterious, but researchers believe that biology, psychology, and culture play a role.
Body dysmorphic disorder
Cleveland Hospital describes this condition as a person’s deep concern about some of the physical defects found. People with body dysmorphic dementia (BDD) are constantly looking for clues on their appearance and can be considered “ugly” to the point of recovery. This repair can include plastic surgery to remove what is considered a physical imperfection.
While the problem occurs regularly in both men and women, social pressures on physical beauty can make the situation more difficult for women to overcome. Concern with their appearance can affect the ability of people with BDD to work at work, at home, and in their social life. The most common physical characteristics of concern for people with BDD are blemishes and other skin problems, hair anywhere on the body (or its absence), and the shape and size of specific facial features.
Bipolar disorder:
This condition, formerly known as “manic-depressive disorder,” is characterized by mood swings much higher than the upper and lower extremities that people experience normally in their daily lives. Significant changes in mood and energy level can impair a person’s ability to function significantly, especially for people with “bipolar I” (so-called “bipolar one”), in which mood changes may be more severe than bipolar II.
Substance misuse:
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 15.4% of older women in the United States have used illicit substance in the past year. Research shows that women could become addicted to drugs faster than men, although women generally use less drugs and use them for a short time. In addition, sex hormones can make women more susceptible to the effects of medications and may experience more cravings soon after addiction, which could lead to frequent relapses.
Mental health care of women and resources
Despite the complexity of the mental health challenges women face, treatment options and resources are available to help these women lead healthier lives. Sometimes the simplest advice is the most effective, and you can start with something as simple as not being afraid to ask for help. Mental health professionals are ready to offer educational support, help women with mental illness to adapt a good coping mechanism. They are there to make sure that women receive the care and treatment they need in respect and dignity to begin the path to recovery and to regain their health.
Health professionals, institutions, and hospitals
There are many different types of mental health service providers, although most share basic characteristics: Professionals who diagnose and treat mental health disorders understand and master the potential, as well as specific training and documentation license. Mayo Clinic describes the most common types of mental health professionals and providers:
- Psychiatrists are doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DO) with specialization in mental health. In addition to diagnosing and treating mental illness, professionals can prescribe and advise through heart therapy.
- Psychologists regularly have Ph.D., Psy.D. or Ed.D. They provide advice in groups and one-on-one sessions, and while most cannot write prescriptions, many are licensed to do so or work with pharmacists who can prescribe medications.
- Mental health nurse is a registered nurse with training in mental health. Most are registered nurses with advanced practice who have advanced degrees (Ph.D. in nursing practice) or certificates (approved nurses) and, in some states, may prescribe medicines.
- Authorized hospital staff are generally managers or doctorates in social work, while licensed medical consultants have relevant supervisors and hospital training. Both provide advice and other services, although they cannot explain medications.
Women looking for a nearby mental health service provider should request a referral to their primary care provider or request a list of mental health service providers covered by their health insurance company. Many staff assistance programs cover part, or all the cost of mental health care and treatment is free with NHS for the UK resident.
The National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMH) provides a 24/7 helpline through people who can answer questions about mental health symptoms and treatments, help members, and provide contact information for local source for mental health.
The Office of Mental Health sources include links to federal agencies that provide information on specific disorders and to organizations that provide care for families and individuals with mental health problems.
In terms of treatment looking after the individual as a whole in Biopsychosocial perspective a good guideline which needs an increase. Quite often provider focus on one one aspect forgetting to looking into other underline issue that make one vulnerable and sustainable to mental illness. Making sure we look after individual as whole checking physical health, psychological health as well as social health issue (social stressor) which may exacerbate mental health problem. Depends on where the individual reside if you are in the UK going to speak to your GP, multi-disciplinary team( MDT), going to local accident and emergency (A&E) to speak with to a Mental Health Liaison , psychiatrist can be helpful, you can also speak to Community Mental health Team, Mental Health Crisis team and Mental Health Charity like the Samaritan in UK can be of great help.
Help save women with mental health problem around you encourage them to seek early help, creating awareness and educating the wider community and government leadership action and reform would make a difference in the life of people going through mental health problem. I would like people to note this saying that goes prevent is better than care. If you know any person going through mental health challenges give the person words of encouragement and show them some love that “they are not alone, and it is ok not to be ok”.
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