Women and mental health in India: An overview

Abstract

Gender is a critical determinant of mental health and mental illness. The patterns of psychological distress and psychiatric disorder among women are different from those seen among men. Women have a higher mean level of internalizing disorders while men show a higher mean level of externalizing disorders. Gender differences occur particularly in the rates of common mental disorders wherein women predominate. Differences between genders have been reported in the age of onset of symptoms, clinical features, frequency of psychotic symptoms, course, social adjustment, and long-term outcome of severe mental disorders. Women who abuse alcohol or drugs are more likely to attribute their drinking to a traumatic event or a stressor and are more likely to have been sexually or physically abused than other women. Girls from nuclear families and women married at a very young age are at a higher risk for attempted suicide and self-harm. Social factors and gender specific factors determine the prevalence and course of mental disorders in female sufferers. Low attendance in hospital settings is partly explained by the lack of availability of resources for women. Around two-thirds of married women in India were victims of domestic violence. Concerted efforts at social, political, economic, and legal levels can bring change in the lives of Indian women and contribute to the improvement of the mental health of these women.

Common mental disorders among women of reproductive age group in an urban area in Bengaluru

“…Study conducted by Panigrahi et al showed no association between family type and CMDs. 19,27,28 There was significant association with BMI and common mental disorders on univariate analysis. Similar association was seen in a study by Shidhaye et al 20 As evidenced from this study, the magnitude of common mental disorders is high among women of reproductive age group.…”

Prevalence and risk factors associated with common mental disorders among medical students

“…1,2 The stressed medical university environment, many times, harms the student's academic performance in their physical health and psychosocial well-being, affecting their quality of life. 3 CMD is a syndrome characterized by depressive and anxiety symptoms, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, memory, and concentration difficulty, 1,[4][5][6] which can manifest as a mixture of somatic symptoms, 5,6 like tremors, headache, poor digestion, among others. 6 The study performed with Gondar University Students in Ethiopia found a CMD prevalence of 40.9%.…”

Common mental disorders and associated factors: a study of women from a rural area

“…They manifest as a mixture of somatic, anxious and depression symptoms (2) . Early and correct diagnosis of these disorders is fundamental to avoid physical and psychological damage to the individual and burden to the health system.…”

“…Therefore, articulating mental health with the Family Health Strategy (FHS) is relevant (4) . Gender differences are present in CMD, predominantly affecting women (2,(5)(6)(7)(8) . Some Brazilian studies have shown the prevalence of CMD in women in urban areas to be: 33.8% (8) , 37.9% (6) , 41.7% (3) , 52.1% (7) .…”