Mental illness in women can present differently than in men, with some disorders being more common in women, such as eating disorders and postpartum depression. Women are also more likely to develop bipolar disorder type 2 and ADHD-PI. Severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder can manifest differently in women.
It has been shown that mental illness in women can present differently than in men, not only in how it affects each gender, but also in the frequency of some disorders. Some illnesses, such as eating disorders, are more common in women. Others, such as postpartum depression, are experienced exclusively or almost exclusively by women. Many common mental illnesses in women have to do with childbirth, social stress, and post-traumatic events.
While mental illness in women can take many forms, one of the best-known problems is postpartum depression. This condition usually develops within the first few months after delivery, but can also occur after stillbirth or miscarriage. Postpartum depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and difficulty bonding with the new baby. A similar condition, known as postpartum psychosis, is said to be a rare but potentially dangerous mental illness. It usually develops within the first three weeks after delivery and can present with a severe inability to bond with the baby, hallucinations, and strange or violent behavior.
In some cases, the manifestation of mental illness in women can also affect them physically. This is especially true in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. Despite the fact that these conditions can also appear in men, they are more commonly associated with women and can physically affect them in different ways, such as changes in the menstrual cycle and difficulty or inability to conceive.
Mental illness in women is not limited to pregnancy and body-related issues. For example, women are more likely to develop bipolar disorder type 2, which can result in episodes of depression alternating with mild hypomania and an increased frequency of mood cycles. ADHD-PI (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – predominantly inattentive) is a subtype of ADHD that is common in women and can present with symptoms of extreme shyness, forgetfulness, and an inability to concentrate.
Severe types of mental illness in women, such as schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder (BPD), can manifest in several different ways than men. In general, women with schizophrenia may develop more romantic delusions and severe mood swings, but are less likely to succumb to alcoholism or loss of sex drive. Although the symptoms of BPD are generally similar in women and men, they differ in frequency, with approximately 75% of those affected being women.
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