Can Gender Influence an Individual’s Vulnerability to Mental Illness?

Posted 31-03-2015

When it comes to differences between genders, there are behaviors expected to occur between men and women.  Society as a whole has an overall image of men as excitable, while women tend to be more emotional.

It is important to note that the gender of a person is what predetermines his or her behaviors.  And while women have a 200 percent more likelihood at becoming depressed, they also respond better than men when taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Environmental and cultural atmospheres greatly influence a person’s vulnerability to mental disorders.  Studies have shown that women are far more likely to be negatively affected by marital discord than the opposite sex.  Men in fact are believed to be affected mostly by work-related stresses.

When a physician’s office becomes more familiar with mental illness, an in-depth understanding of complex mental health, biological and environmental factors can be assessed against one another.  More importantly, with first-class communication, it becomes possible to document and study all associated symptoms of an illness.

Ongoing studies are showing today that perceptions of gender over the past few decades may or may have not been in-tune with reality.  In fact, it is stated that gender differences are most likely influenced by emotional regulation instead of emotional reactivity.

When emotional regulation does not take place, mental illnesses tend to become present.  Many disorders, however, can be treated through reappraisal. In regards to emotional reactivity, men are no different to women, but cognitive regulation studies prove men to be far more unlikely to make wise decision.

A research project conducted at Oxford University states that women are about 60 percent more likely to develop a mental health disorder than men.  And because gender disparities are avoided, this percentage is expected to increase.   When treatment and support are provided, it is imperative that administrative councils are prepared to make the investment that it takes to offer treatment for both genders.

Studies also indicate the women are up to 40% more likely to come forward with disorder related to anxiety. However, in regards to ADHD and schizophrenia, limited data makes it impossible to pinpoint the associated gender differences.

Gender differences should be recognized on a ‘whole’ basis. Both women and men should be treated respectfully and fairly because those around them show the same type of respect for themselves.  The topic of gender differences will continue to be studied, and it is hoped that more specific differences can be identified to better understand the role of gender in society.

Pasadena Villa programs set out to create a comforting and therapeutic environment. We do things a normal family would do. Our staff and residents learn and model appropriate social and communication skills, from daily mealtimes, to many fun and relaxing activities. Our mental health professionals work directly with residents. They observe them in actual social situations and incorporate these observations directly into the resident’s ongoing treatment plan.  This individual real life personalized attention makes the Pasadena Villa treatment experience more appropriate, relevant and beneficial for each of our residents, especially when compared to any other available adult residential treatment mental health services.

The Villa Orlando and Pasadena Villa’s Smoky Mountain Lodge are adult intensive psychiatric residential treatment centers for clients with serious mental illnesses. We also provide other individualized therapy programs, step-down residential programs, and less intensive mental health services, such as Community Residential Homes, Supportive Housing, Day Treatment Programs and Life Skills training. Pasadena Villa’s Outpatient Center in Raleigh, North Carolina offers partial hospitalization (PHP) and an intensive outpatient program (PHP). If you or someone you know may need mental health services, please complete our contact form or call us at 877-845-5235 for more information.

Sources:

• TheGuardian.com
• Psych.Columbia.Edu
• Appi.org