Does gender play a role in the likelihood of developing a mental illness?

The National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently released a report that says it does. According to the new data, if you are a woman you stand a greater chance at having "serious mental health problems" than a man. The Washington Post detailed these findings, which were revealed to be true across every age group. 

The Mayo Clinic reports that women are at greater risk for depression due to a number of factors, including hormonal differences and physical factors relating to puberty and pregnancy, such as postpartum depression. In fact, women are almost twice as likely men to become depressed. The rate of depression among females tends to change after the onset of puberty, as hormonal changes and issues surrounding sexuality and identity begin to take shape. During the span of a lifetime, one out of every five women stands a chance at developing depression. 

In the CDC's report, which used data from the 2009-2013 National Health Interview Survey, not only were women found to face higher rates of having serious mental health problems, but those already facing these issues were also determined to face greater difficulties depending on their age and the presence of other health conditions. The report indicated that people with mental health conditions who were also over the age of 65 faced additional difficulties with completing basic life tasks.

According to the CDC, "Serious psychological distress includes mental health problems severe enough to cause moderate-to-serious impairment in social, occupational, or school functioning and to require treatment."

The risk of having other detrimental health conditions was also higher for those considered to be facing "serious psychological distress." For more than one-quarter of those over 65 and experiencing significant psychological distress, it was difficult to carry out basic tasks such as bathing. 

Additional key findings of the study indicated that the higher the respondent's income, the lesser the chances that they would be impacted by severe psychological distress. The likelihood that they would be insured was lower for those said to be experiencing distressing psychological conditions. Those who did not experience these distressing conditions showed a 20.5 percent likelihood of being uninsured, while those under distress showed a 30.4 percent likelihood to be uninsured.

As the article notes, the depression rates for women tend to be higher than those for men, but people of any gender have the potential to suffer from the pain of mental health disorders. Due to the frequency at which mental health difficulties and addiction occur together, it is essential to seek appropriate treatment that addresses all possible factors to create the strongest chances for a lasting recovery. At the Fairwinds Treatment Centers in Florida, we use the dual diagnosis method to treat the root causes of addiction by identifying the underlying psychological triggers. 

If you think you or someone you care about might be suffering from depression, knowing how to spot the signs can help you recognize when it is time to seek professional treatment. Some of the signs include long periods of fatigue, feelings of frequent anger and a loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable.

Founded in 1989 by Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef, our treatment centers feature highly trained and experienced clinical teams who will work with you or your loved one to create an individualized plan for recovery. Through the support of therapeutic counseling and clinical treatment from our skilled team, you can experience recovery from depression and addiction.