Women mature first. It has been ingrained in us since that awkward maturation lesson that everyone endured in 5th grade. When I sat in the lecture, giggling along with my fellow classmates about puberty, I never once thought about how my mental health. If one day, my depression would force me to sit in bed and watch hours of Worst Cooks in America or if my anxiety would send me into a crying fit over someone who forgot to use their blinker.
Depression, anxiety, and stress were waiting for me. However, in my turbulent teenage years, they would link arms with me and never leave my side. In living with my depression and anxiety, I quickly realized that I was the only one among my male friends that was afflicted. Even now, when I have a day where I can’t even manage to wash my hair, my husband looks at me in complete confusion.
Why is it that men seem less affected by depression and anxiety than women? Well, according to an article published here, women are more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety than men are. More women than men are diagnosed with depression every year. In another article by Recovery Across Mental Health, women are twice as likely to experience anxiety as men. Women also make up about 60% of people with phobias or OCD.
Unfortunately, mental well-being isn’t the only health issue that women have to contend with. There are many physical health issues that women are more susceptible to than men, like heart disease and breast cancer. In an article published by Regis College, heart disease causes one in every four deaths among women. Women are also less likely to survive a heart attack in comparison to men. Breast cancer is also mainly diagnosed in women and is the most aggressive cancer affecting the global female population.
Taking care of our mental and physical state is the best way to combat these issues. Take breaks from stressful situations when you need to and allow yourself time to process things that are happening around you. Exercising or practicing meditation is another way to calm your mind and relax your body. Reaching out to close friends and family is another way to check in with your mental health, and it also is nice to feel like you have someone in your corner to support you when everything is getting stressful.
Another way that women can combat these health issues is knowing when something is not right and speaking up about it. The only person that fully understands you and the issues that you are going through is yourself. If you feel like you are suffocating under stress, depression, or if you feel like something is physically wrong with you, then you need to speak with a medical professional. Don’t be afraid to openly express yourself in a doctor setting and ask every question that comes to mind.
Women may be more prone to certain diseases, but women are also ready to tackle these issues head on.
Read also:
A Note To My Eating Disorder
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Lupus Affects Womxn Of Colour More – Why Is That?
