Mental health problems can affect anyone, no matter their age, background, upbringing, or gender identity. However, these issues do not affect people in the same way. For example, men and women (as well as boys and girls) face very different challenges and experiences when it comes to mental health.
Did you know that women are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition?
Or that men are more likely to attempt and commit suicide?
These are just some of the many gender differences in mental health—and there are various biological and psychosocial factors contributing to them. Understanding these disparities, though, is important in ensuring that all genders get the support and treatment they deserve.
For the purpose of this article, we’ll explore the unique experiences of men and women, as well as the varying biological factors that can cause gender differences in mental health. Further, we’ll unpack how mental health issues can manifest differently in men and women, based on common trends, and show why treatment must adjust to gender-specific needs.
Why does gender matter in mental health?
Simply put, men and women tend to have very different life experiences. They also face different societal expectations, “gender norms,” and pressure to act in certain ways. And, at the most basic level, they have different biological make-ups, affecting how their bodies and brains respond to psychological stress. These differences can all play a role in their mental health.
Life experiences
Life experiences, particularly traumatic ones, are usually gendered—meaning certain experiences are more common among specific genders. For example, women are more likely to experience sexual abuse and trauma, as well as gender-based violence. (Over half of women have experienced sexual violence during their lifetimes, compared to one-third of men.) Men, on the other hand, are more likely to face trauma from other forms of physical assault, accidents, combat, and disaster.
These unique experiences can lead to an array of mental health struggles.
Societal expectations
Society has us programed to believe we must act in certain ways. For example, men are expected to be strong and stalwart—and to suppress their emotions when times get tough. Men have historically been told not to cry or show signs of weakness and, as such, those struggling with mental health issues tend to exhibit dominance and aggression, or to internalize their emotions and rely only on themselves. These societal pressures cause many men to ignore their mental health symptoms, or avoid asking for help.
Among women, certain stereotypes have become gender norms, too. Words like nurturing, attractive, well-mannered come to mind. Society often expects women to become mothers, to juggle housework and family, and to appear perfect and put together as they “grace” through life. Most women do not fit into this mold and, in fact, many deal with issues like chronic stress, sleep disruption, and burnout. Women struggling with mental health issues also run the risk of being labeled as “hormonal” or “dramatic,” and are not always taken seriously. As a result, they are often silenced or scared to seek help.
Biological differences
Men and women are biologically different, in their bodies and brain chemistry. For example, hormonal differences can play a key role in their mental health. Women primarily experience fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, hormones that directly affect mood regulation and emotional processing. Particularly during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, these hormones can significantly increase a woman’s likelihood of developing anxiety or depression.
Men, on the other hand, have more testosterone, which in high amounts can contribute to aggression and risk-taking behaviors (like substance abuse). In low amounts, testosterone can increase a man’s risk of depression and irritability.
Hormones are not the only biological factor, however. Research shows that brain structure and neurological patterns differ between genders, causing discrepancies in their mental health. For example, the amygdala (responsible for processing threats and fear) is thought to respond differently between men and women, causing variations in how each gender experiences and reacts to trauma.
In addition to having different experiences with mental health issues, experts report that men and women respond to treatment differently. For example, men are more likely to drop out of treatment and tend to hold lower expectations of therapy, unless it’s tailored to the unique experiences of men.
Common mental health issues by gender identity
All genders can face issues with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions. However, some disorders affect one gender more than the other.
Women have a higher prevalence of:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Chronic stress
- Sleep disturbances
Men are more likely to face:
- Substance use disorders
- Antisocial behaviors
- Emotional suppression
- Undiagnosed depression and anxiety
- Suicidal thoughts/ideation
Gender differences in mental health symptoms
Mental health conditions present themselves differently in men and women, and some symptoms might even surprise you.
Women are more likely to show the “traditional” symptoms of mental illnesses like depression and anxiety: low mood and energy, persistent feelings of sadness and hopeless, incessant worry or fear. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to channel their negative thoughts and feelings into action—turning to drug and alcohol abuse, aggressive behaviors, and risk-taking as a means to cope.
To summarize the gender differences, women are more likely to internalize their symptoms – suffering in silence – while men are more likely to suppress their feelings and externalize difficult behaviors.
Gender differences in mental health treatment
When it comes to getting mental health treatment, there are also key differences between genders. Women are more likely to seek treatment for mental health struggles, with an estimated 29% of women having received care in the past year (compared to just 17% of men).
Experts believe that women might be more likely to seek mental health support because of their emotional connectedness—they are often more attuned to their feelings and able to recognize when something is wrong. Women also face less intense stigma when it comes to mental health struggles.
Men, on the contrary, face significant societal pressures and stigmatization, which both get in the way of seeking proper help. Men tend to fear what others will think if they get help and would prefer to “tough it out” or ignore the symptoms altogether. They might try to self-medicate and regulate, rather than talking to someone, through the use of drugs, alcohol, sex, fighting, and other risk-taking behaviors.
Once in treatment, there are differences in how men and women should be tended to. Women, for example, tend to carry significant trauma upon entering a mental health facility. As a result, women’s mental health treatment programs must be trauma-informed, with specialized care and support for victims of abuse and assault. These programs must also be gender-specific, with a community of only women in recovery. Co-ed treatment settings tend to be less effective, as women can feel threatened by men easily, or more closed off and unengaged in group sessions.
Men also have unique needs when it comes to mental health treatment. Men need a provider that knows how to get to the root of mental health issues—that looks past the externalized behaviors (like substance abuse and aggression) and offers goal-based, non-confrontational, and engaging treatment modalities.
The importance of gender-informed care
Ultimately, both men and women deserve mental health care that is attuned to their lived experiences, emotional needs, and the unique challenges. That is where gender-specific treatment comes into play.
Gender-informed and gender-specific mental health treatment means that:
- Treatment settings are dedicated to one gender (male or female)
- Clinicians are trained and experienced in the unique needs of each gender
- Communication styles are tailored and sensitive to men or women
- Peers are of the same gender, helping foster a sense of belonging and community
- Group therapy sessions are limited to one gender, encouraging a safe space to heal
- Residencies are full of gender-informed healing activities and practices
This level and specificity of care is important, because of this truth: Men and women have different experiences when it comes to mental health. As such, they need a gender-informed approach to mental health care, with a program in which they feel safe, seen, understood, respected, and valued at every step of the way.
Gender-informed treatment builds trust, reduces stigma, and promotes more sustainable mental health outcomes. Learn how Turnbridge can support your mental health recovery, with dedicated programs for young men and trauma-informed programs for young women who are struggling.