Women and Mental Health

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

• Information on Women’s Mental Health from the Department of Health and Human Services
• Women's Health Information and Organizations from NLM's MedlinePlus (en Español)
• Surgeon General's Workshop on Women’s Mental Health
• Information on Postpartum Depression
  • Postpartum depression information from Medline Plus
  • NIH Fact Sheet: Understanding Postpartum Depression
  • HHS Fact Sheet: Depression During and After Pregnancy
  • Depression During and After Pregnancy: A Resource for Women, Their Families, and Friends (HRSA)
• Information on Medications
  • NIMH Mental Health Medications
  • Medications for Depression (FDA)
• 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