In the event you are a lady and reading this, it is a reminder so that you can care for your mental health each day. Prioritising mental health is significant for everybody to advertise overall well-being and protect against mental illnesses. Nevertheless mental illnesses impact men and girls in another way. As an illustration, depression is greater than twice as prevalent in young women aged between 14-25 years as in comparison with men in keeping with National Library of Medicine. Not only women usually tend to suffer from depression and anxiety in comparison with men, there are some illnesses which might be specific to women, similar to prenatal depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and perimenopause-related sadness. (Also read: 10 easy suggestions to administer your mental health)

“Based on research, women are twice as likely as men to have panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and specific phobias. Following a traumatic event, women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD.

Overall, women constitute a minimum of 85 per cent of anorexia and bulimia cases and 65 percent of binge-eating disorder cases,” Akanksha Pandey, Consultant Clinical Psychology, Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore told HT Digital.

Among the symptoms of mental health issues which might be common to men and girls are persistent sadness or a way of helplessness, alcohol or drugs misuse, drastic eating or sleeping patterns alterations, appetite or weight fluctuations, fatigue or an absence of energy, anxiety or excessive fear, hallucinations, extreme emotions, aches, headaches, or stomach issues that haven’t any obvious reason, irritability, withdrawal from social situations and suicidal ideation. (Also read: Losing cool on account of summer heat? Listed here are suggestions to remain calm)

Causes of mental health issues in women

Hormonal changes in women can impact their mood and increases their probability of getting depression.

“Women produce less serotonin and synthesize it at a slower rate than men, explaining higher rates of depression. A girl’s genetic makeup can also be thought to play a task in the event of neurological illnesses. Puberty often causes girls to grow to be dissatisfied with their bodies, which has been linked to depression,” says Pandey.

The expert adds that estrogen alternatively has been shown to have helpful effects on the brain, including stopping severe symptoms in women with schizophrenia during certain parts of their menstrual cycles and maintaining the structure of neurons within the brain, aiding within the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Pandey says social and cultural aspects can also raise women’s risk of depression. “Women are still the first caregivers for kids, and it’s estimated that females provide 80 percent of all caregiving for chronically sick elders, enhancing stress levels,” says the psychologist.

It’s also believed that girls are more likely than males to report mental health issues and that doctors usually tend to diagnose a lady with depression and treat her with mood-altering medicines.

Suggestions to enhance mental health in women

Learning to cope with life’s ups and downs and developing coping skills that may prevent minor problems from becoming major ones is significant. Listed here are some tip by Pandey:

Exercise often: Endorphins, that are chemicals that help relieve stress and promote calmness, are released during aerobic exercise. Regular physical activity also aids in the development of sleep habits and quality, in addition to the reduction of hysteria and depression symptoms.

Eat a well-balanced food plan: People’s moods have been observed to enhance once they eat healthful foods and their physical health. Sugary foods needs to be avoided, while alcohol and low have to be consumed carefully to avoid fatigue and irritation. Selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, folate, vitamin B12, calcium, iron, and zinc, amongst other vitamins and minerals, appear to assist with depressive symptoms.

Search for a joyful profession: A girl’s mental health concerns are often compounded by her job. A recent profession can provide these women with a revitalized feeling of purpose while also alleviating a few of the symptoms of their sickness.

Self-care: A way of life that may allow you to manage stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Other than fulfilling probably the most basic requirements, self-care encompasses a big selection of activities like long-overdue chores to learning to say no, scheduling time for joyous activities, rewarding yourself for doing all of your best, granting yourself permission to be yourself, and, most significantly, allowing yourself to make errors. It is also critical to know that self-care is just not selfish.

“Women will be more empowered to reclaim the fulfilling, enjoyable, and purposeful lives they so richly deserve in the event that they have access to accurate, up-to-date information on probably the most effective strategies for overcoming mental health challenges,” concludes the psychologist.