What disorders are more common in adult women than men?
Adult women are more likely to experience several mental health disorders compared to men. Here are some of the disorders that are more common in women:
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Depression: Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. This gender gap in depression rates is observed throughout life, with factors such as hormonal changes and societal pressures contributing to this disparity14.
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Anxiety Disorders: Women are twice as likely as men to experience generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. Anxiety disorders often manifest differently in women, with internalization of emotions leading to withdrawal and depression12.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Women are twice as likely as men to experience PTSD, often presenting with symptoms like hypervigilance and depression2.
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Eating Disorders: Women are disproportionately affected by eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating disorder, with approximately 85-95% of those diagnosed being female2.
These differences highlight the need for gender-specific approaches in mental health treatment and prevention.