Mental illnesses affect women and men differently — some disorders are more common in women, and some express themselves with different symptoms. Scientists are only now beginning to tease apart the contributions of various biological and psychosocial factors to mental health and mental illness in both women and men. In addition, researchers are currently studying the special problems of treatment for serious mental illness during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
The mental disorders affecting women include the following:
- Anxiety Disorders, including OCD, panic, PTSD, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorders.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, ADD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Postpartum depression
- Eating Disorders
- Schizophrenia
Related Information
- Postpartum depression information from Medline Plus
- Information about medications
- Women's Health Information and Organizations from NLM's MedlinePlus (en Español)
- Some mental illnesses also carry an increased risk for suicide.
- Women’s Programs
Kathleen M. O'Leary, M.S.W., Deputy Chief, e-mail: olearyk@mail.nih.gov - Surgeon General's Workshop on Women’s Mental Health
Science News about Women's Mental Health
Publication about Women's Mental Health
- Women and Depression: Discovering Hope
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A booklet that describes the symptoms, treatment and factors contributing to depression that are unique to women. En Español
