Mental health challenges are often neglected in India because of various reasons. Stigma, self-resistance, and lack of good mental health care access are all to be blamed. However, Indian women are worst affected as mental health disorders disproportionately affect women than men. According to a report from NCBI, the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and unspecified psychological distress are 2–3 times more common among women than among men.
Unique biological changes such as menstruation, pregnancy, infertility, and menopause, combined with social and psychological factors, can be significant stressors that impact women’s mental health. Balancing roles as homemakers, caregivers, and professionals can also add to this stress, leading to long-term mental health issues if not properly addressed. Let’s explore the mental health challenges women face, along with their signs and practical solutions for managing them.
Top 10 Mental Health Challenges Women Face
Good mental health is essential to overall well-being, yet women often face unique challenges. Recognizing these challenges can empower women to seek the proper support. Here are the top 10 mental health challenges women commonly experience.
Anxiety Disorder
- What It Looks Like: Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry or nervousness about an event or situation, even when they are non-threatening. When excessive anxiety interferes in your daily life, it becomes an anxiety disorder. It is a serious mental illness, and women are more than twice as likely as men to experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
- Signs: Symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, nausea, restlessness, excessive worry, avoidance behaviors and trouble sleeping.
- Treatment Options: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques like mindfulness, and medications if prescribed by a professional.
Depression
- What It Looks Like: When someone feels sad, hopeless, empty, loses interest or has no pleasure in performing daily chores for at least two weeks is said to be experiencing depression. It affects a person’s ability to work and maintain relationships with people. A recent study highlighted the prevalence of depression amongst females to be 41%, while it was 24% in males.
- Signs: Symptoms can include constant sadness (including crying often), feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, difficulty functioning, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, and self-harm thoughts.
- Treatment Options: Therapy, medication, and support groups can help. Exercise, a balanced diet, and a support network are also necessary for recovery.
Postpartum Depression
- What It Looks Like: Otherwise called “baby blues”, postpartum depression is a feeling of being worried, tired or sad within a few days of childbirth. When this feeling doesn’t go away within two weeks, the woman may be experiencing postpartum depression. The condition can give a sense of disconnection from the newborn.
- Signs: Symptoms can include Irritability, crying spells, anxiety, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and difficulty bonding with the baby.
- Treatment Options: Counseling, support groups, lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, medications.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- What It Looks Like: PMDD is similar to PMS but more serious. PMDD typically causes severe irritability, anxiety or depression in a week or two before the menstrual cycle starts. The symptoms usually go away after 2-3 days of the cycle.
- Signs: Symptoms can include extreme mood swings, irritability, depression, tension, low energy, and physical symptoms like bloating, cramping, muscle pain or headaches.
- Treatment Options: Lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, antidepressants, and hormonal treatments.
Eating Disorder
- What It Looks Like: Again, women are more prone to experience an eating disorder than men. This is one of the most common mental health challenges women face. The condition affects your relationship with food and how you see yourself (body image). Eating disorders include a range of disorders like bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), and anorexia nervosa.
- Signs: Symptoms can include obsession with body weight, restrictive eating, binge eating or purging, and feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty.
- Treatment Options: Nutritional counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medical supervision.
Panic Disorder
- What It Looks Like: Panic disorders are twice as common in females than in males. It causes sudden attacks of terror without any actual danger. This mental health challenge may cause a sense of unreality, a fear of impending doom and even a fear of losing control. It may sometimes look like heart attacks, losing their mind or dying.
- Signs: Symptoms can include palpitations, sweating, trembling, worrying, shortness of breath, and a feeling of losing control.
- Treatment Options: Breathing techniques, therapy, and sometimes medication to manage symptoms.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
- What It Looks Like: SUD is considered both a brain disorder and a mental health condition. Individuals with addiction use illegal drugs or misuse prescribed drugs. They continue to consume tobacco and alcohol despite causing problems in their lives. Women may develop substance use disorder due to stressors like caregiving responsibility or trauma.
- Signs: Symptoms can include increased tolerance to substances, severe withdrawal symptoms when not using them, neglecting responsibilities, depression and memory blackout.
- Treatment Options: Counseling, therapy, support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and rehabilitation programs.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- What It Looks Like: PTSD is one of the most common mental health challenges women face. It is a condition that develops after a traumatic event either experienced or witnessed. Traumatic events can range from physical to sexual assault, accidents, and any event experienced as deeply scary and upsetting. Women are prone to PTSD due to higher rates of sexual violence and domestic abuse.
- Signs: Symptoms can include severe anxiety, depression, flashbacks, emotional numbness, avoidance of reminders of the trauma.
- Treatment Options: Trauma-focused therapy (such as EMDR) and medications that help manage anxiety or depression.
Menopausal Depression
- What It Looks Like: The risk of depression and anxiety gets higher for women during the transition phase from perimenopause to menopause. This change occurs due to natural hormonal fluctuations, menopausal symptoms or both. Loss of fertility is said to be the most common reason for menopausal depression.
- Signs: Symptoms can include mood swings, anxiety, stress, irritability, sadness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression.
- Treatment Options: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), counseling, lifestyle modification, or medication if recommended.
Caregiver Burnout
- What It Looks Like: Another common mental health challenge that is common to women is caregiver stress. Women often take on the caregiving roles for children and older people, leading to stress, fatigue and burnout. Many women even face social isolation due to these roles.
- Signs: Symptoms can include chronic fatigue, irritability, anger, anxiety, and neglecting personal wellness needs.
- Treatment Options: Setting boundaries for caregiving tasks, seeking respite care services, joining support groups, and engaging in self-care practice.
Why Seeking Help Is A Challenge For Women In India?
Stigma
Mental health issues are often linked with social stigma, especially for women. Many fear judgment, discrimination, or being labeled as “weak” or “unstable,” which prevents them from seeking help. This stigma can come from family, friends, or even within professional environments, discouraging women from openly discussing their mental health concerns.
Poor Infrastructure for Mental Health Care
Limited access to quality mental health services, especially in rural or underserved areas, creates a significant barrier. The lack of trained professionals, inadequate funding, and insufficient support systems make it difficult for women to find the help they need. Even in urban settings, the cost of care and limited awareness of available resources can deter women from seeking support.
Expert Tips To Deal With Mental Health Challenges
Our Mental Wellness Advisor at WellAura, Anjana Raju, provided some practical tips to deal with mental health challenges:
- Set Clear Boundaries: Establishing boundaries between work and personal life is essential to avoid burnout.
- Communicate Your Needs: Discuss your mental health requirements with your organization. Requesting flexible options or breaks when needed can enhance your overall performance.
- Practice Self-Care: Follow a routine that includes exercise, healthy eating, gratitude, and mindfulness. Make time for “me-time” every day and schedule regular vacations or breaks.
- Prioritize Sleep: Stressed individuals often miss out on quality sleep, but it is crucial for mental health and overall well-being.
- Build a Support System: Surround yourself with a strong network of friends and family to talk to during challenging times.
- Seek Professional Support: When feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to contact a therapist, counselor, or emotional support helpline.
To Wrap It Up
Addressing the mental health challenges unique to women necessitates a multifaceted approach that combines early recognition, professional help and self-care strategies. This approach recognizes the complex interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors that influence women’s mental health.
At WellAura, we understand women’s unique mental health challenges and offer a compassionate, holistic approach to care. Our team provides personalized therapy, counseling, and wellness plans that address well-being’s psychological and physical aspects.
By focusing on early intervention, support, and a comprehensive range of mental health services, we aim to empower women to overcome these challenges and lead healthier, more balanced lives. Let WellAura be your partner in prioritizing mental health and enhancing your overall quality of life. Contact us today!
FAQ
What are the common mental health challenges women face?
Women often face mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, postpartum depression, eating disorders, and stress due to unique life stages like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.
Why do mental health issues affect women more than men?
Hormonal changes, societal pressures, juggling multiple roles, and unique stressors contribute to higher rates of mental health issues in women.
How can women recognize the signs of mental health problems?
Signs include persistent sadness, anxiety, mood swings, changes in appetite, sleep issues, and loss of interest in daily activities.
What role does stigma play in preventing women from seeking help?
The stigma around mental health makes women feel judged or ashamed, leading to reluctance to seek help or discuss their issues.
