9 Most Common Reasons
Women's Mental Health
Deteriorates
Women are more likely to suffer from mental health problems than men. In the UK, 1 in 4 women experience depression at some point in their lives, compared to around 1 in 10 men. The statistics are pretty similar in the US, where approximately 14 million women have reported suffering from depression within the last year. What causes these numbers to be so high? In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common reasons why women’s mental health deteriorates, and how you can find ways to prevent or treat these problems before they begin to affect your life negatively.
1) Being too hard on yourself
It’s hard to feel proud of yourself when you’re constantly looking for reasons to be disappointed in yourself. If you beat yourself up mentally every time you don’t do something perfectly, every time a mistake is made, or when something doesn’t go according to plan, it becomes easier and easier to give up on everything. It will start with one thing and then eventually expand into everything you do – your goals, relationships with others, even physical health. You won’t see why it matters anymore because if there are already so many problems, then things might as well get worse.
2) Doing too much
Many women are super moms. They juggle work, family, relationships and activities all at once. When you’re dealing with a heavy workload, it can be easy to fall into a cycle of being too busy for everything except your job and your responsibilities. The problem is that you don’t have time to take care of yourself either. It seems like there isn’t enough time in the day to do anything else. You start skipping meals or going days without eating properly because you just don’t have time for it; instead, you’re surviving on coffee or energy drinks because you need a quick pick-me-up so that you can get through another long day of being overwhelmed.
3) An imbalance in your hormones
The onset of menopause is an obvious cause of hormone imbalance and related symptoms, but other times hormonal imbalances in women are caused by medication or lifestyle. For example, certain antidepressants, seizure medications and medications for heart conditions can all affect your hormone levels. Chronic stress can also cause hormonal changes that lead to symptoms of mental illness. In addition to menopause and stress-related causes, other major life events like marriage, childbirth or divorce may have a profound effect on your mental health as well. Fortunately there are treatments for these conditions including hormone replacement therapy and psychotherapy that can restore balance. Sometimes more complex treatment options may be needed but even these often resolve in time with persistence and patience.
4) Problems with your family
If you feel as though there is no one in your family that understands what you’re going through, it can be very difficult to manage stress. There are a lot of stressful events that families experience that may trigger mental health problems for women, including moving or having a new baby. If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of depression after these major life changes, it is important to reach out to family members for support and encouragement. Alternatively, seek professional help.
5) The wrong partner or marriage
A person’s mental health can suffer if they’re in a bad relationship. The same goes for being single and feeling lonely or abandoned. One study found that both lack of social support, as well as poor quality of social support, are both linked to worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety. If you're feeling sad, it's natural to want someone else to feel that way with you. But when there isn't anyone around who understands what you're going through, it can hurt your feelings even more.
6) Lack of sleep
When you’re sleep deprived, your mind and body suffer. Not only does sleep deprivation lead to weight gain and a decline in mental health but can also increase your risk of numerous physical ailments. Studies show that lack of sleep contributes to inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, depression and increased pain sensitivity. To stay emotionally healthy and productive, try incorporating habits like early bedtimes into your routine. If you struggle with waking up on time, consider using an alarm clock or timer to ensure you don’t hit snooze more than twice.
7) Lack of exercise
It doesn’t matter how you exercise — running, yoga, dancing or hitting a punching bag — as long as you find an activity that gets your heart rate up. Not only will exercise keep your mind strong, it’ll ward off anxiety and depression and improve your mood overall. If you struggle to get started on a regular workout routine, try taking a walking meeting with a co-worker instead of chatting over coffee in person or going for brisk walks around your neighborhood during breaks. Just make sure to schedule workouts at least three times per week for at least 30 minutes each time so you see results. A 2014 study published in Clinical Psychological Science found that people who exercised five times a week reduced their risk of developing clinical depression by 47 percent after four months.
8) A traumatic event such as losing a loved one, divorce, death, etc.
Traumatic events are devastating and can lead to a loss of identity, isolation and negative emotions. The ability to cope with stress is often damaged after a traumatic event, which may lead to mental health problems. On top of that, mental health issues such as depression or anxiety may trigger self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. And since these disorders are so common in women, it’s important to be aware of your risk factors as well as treatment options available. Talking about your feelings can help you find relief—visit a therapist or join a support group if you don’t feel comfortable talking with loved ones. Medication might also be an option for some cases; talk to your doctor before taking any medications though since they have their own list of side effects and complications.
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