Understanding women’s mental health over a lifetime
When you have good mental health, you can enjoy all life has to offer. You may perform better at work and your relationships will likely be stronger and more fulfilling. At Baylor Scott & White, all our primary care and women’s health providers are dedicated to helping you live well every day.
Depression
Depression is the most common mental health condition in women. It affects twice as many women in their lifetimes than men and can occur for many reasons, from your family history to your hormones and brain chemistry. However, many women can overcome depression with treatment.
Anxiety
Women experience anxiety twice as much as men do. The types of anxiety that women are likely to experience include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder: Constant worrying or feelings of dread that disrupt your daily life
- Panic disorder: Sudden periods of intense fear even though you aren’t in danger
- Phobias: Fear of situations, spaces or objects that pose no real threat
- Social anxiety: Feelings of extreme anxiety around social situations and interactions with others
As with depression, you can find relief from anxiety with professional help.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Women are twice as likely as men to develop PTSD. Although often associated with traumatic events such as war, PTSD can also occur after physical and sexual trauma, natural disasters, car accidents, and other significant, upsetting events.
A mental health professional can help you process a traumatic event and address your unique PTSD symptoms.
Eating disorders
The vast majority of people with eating disorders are women. These conditions, which often run in families, focus on food restriction (anorexia nervosa and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder), binge eating, and binging and purging (bulimia).
Treatments can help you address an eating disorder by focusing on your eating habits and moods and by addressing related or underlying causes.
Postpartum depression
According to the Office on Women’s Health, postpartum depression affects approximately 1 in 8 new mothers during the year after childbirth.
Many women try to hide symptoms of postpartum depression, feeling embarrassed or ashamed, but seeing a mental health professional who specializes in postpartum depression can help you feel better, as well as help keep your baby healthy.
Fertility and mental health
Struggling with infertility can cause women and men alike to experience anxiety, depression and grief. Roughly half of all women experiencing infertility develop depression.
Seeking help could improve your mental wellness and your chances of conceiving. Research has shown that women with infertility-related depression are less likely to seek out infertility care.
Body image and mental health
Many women feel self-conscious about how they look, and women are more likely than men to struggle with body image issues. Having a negative body image can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder or depression, and it can lead to body dysmorphic disorder, a serious but treatable mental illness.
Menopause
Certain mental health conditions that impact women are related to changes in hormone levels, and menopause is no exception. You may notice symptoms of depression during perimenopause, the months and years leading up to menopause. Sometimes, these symptoms are caused by hormone fluctuations but can also be caused by life events.
Talk to your women’s health specialist if you’re feeling depressed. Medications, talk therapy and hormone therapy may help.
Our women’s mental health services
At Baylor Scott & White, you can access many mental health care treatment options and services. These include:
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Biofeedback
Biofeedback
This treatment aims to teach you to better manage automatic body functions, such as breathing, heart rate and muscle tension.
Your biofeedback therapist attaches sensors to your body that detect bodily changes, such as pulse or brain-wave patterns. Your mental health specialist can help you identify these changes and learn appropriate ways to react.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a common type of talk therapy proven to be effective for many mental health conditions. CBT focuses on changing negative thinking patterns so you can respond to challenges more effectively.
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Hospital telepsychiatry
Hospital telepsychiatry
Our comprehensive telepsychiatry program provides highly experienced psychiatrists for virtual appointments.
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Hypnosis
Hypnosis
Also called hypnotherapy, hypnosis is a focused, meditative state during which a therapist works with you to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety or other conditions.
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Individual and group therapy
Individual and group therapy
You may participate in individual or group therapy or a combination of both.
Group therapy involves meeting in a group of approximately five to 15 people led by a psychologist. Many people benefit from the support of others, which helps them realize they are not alone.
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Medications
Medications
Many people benefit from medications for depression and anxiety, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, mood stabilizers and others.
Members of your care team will work together to determine the right course of medication for your needs.
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Psychiatric evaluations
Psychiatric evaluations
You will meet with an experienced psychiatrist who will talk to you and help determine the cause of your symptoms and an appropriate course of treatment.
Biofeedback
This treatment aims to teach you to better manage automatic body functions, such as breathing, heart rate and muscle tension.
Your biofeedback therapist attaches sensors to your body that detect bodily changes, such as pulse or brain-wave patterns. Your mental health specialist can help you identify these changes and learn appropriate ways to react.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a common type of talk therapy proven to be effective for many mental health conditions. CBT focuses on changing negative thinking patterns so you can respond to challenges more effectively.
Hospital telepsychiatry
Our comprehensive telepsychiatry program provides highly experienced psychiatrists for virtual appointments.
Hypnosis
Also called hypnotherapy, hypnosis is a focused, meditative state during which a therapist works with you to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety or other conditions.
Individual and group therapy
You may participate in individual or group therapy or a combination of both.
Group therapy involves meeting in a group of approximately five to 15 people led by a psychologist. Many people benefit from the support of others, which helps them realize they are not alone.
Medications
Many people benefit from medications for depression and anxiety, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, mood stabilizers and others.
Members of your care team will work together to determine the right course of medication for your needs.
Psychiatric evaluations
You will meet with an experienced psychiatrist who will talk to you and help determine the cause of your symptoms and an appropriate course of treatment.
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