Women's Mental Health Disorders

• #Mentaldisorders can manifest differently in men and women, but some disorders are unique to women.

• Disorders such as depression and anxiety are more common in women. Some women experience symptoms of mental illness at times of hormone change. #Postpartumdepression is seen soon after childbirth. #Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is seen around the time of the menstrual cycle. #Perimenopausal and #postmenopausal depression are well known entities.

• Causes may be due to hormonal factors related to the reproductive cycle. Uncontrolled substance use in the partner, unabated domestic violence (sexual and physical), being widowed or separated, lack of autonomy in decision making processes, and having low levels of family and social support are critical factors that predispose women to a variety of psychological problems.

• Treatment through medication and therapy

For consultation with Dr Rahul Chandhok please whatsapp at 9818120579

Coping with loss and stages of grief

• Bereavement is the period of grief after a major loss, people react in different ways. Most people experience grief in some way. Grief includes the deep sadness after a death or loss. It is a natural process as we learn how to live without the person who has died.

• Common feelings and physical symptoms include sadness or depression, feeling numb, shock or disbelief, tiredness,

problems sleeping or vivid dreams, losing your appetite, difficulty concentrating, being angry or irritable, feeling guilty, feeling frightened, helpless or lonely, spend a lot of time thinking about the loss and what happened before it.These thoughts, feelings and physical symptoms might not be there all the time but can appear suddenly and can be overwhelming.

• Stages of Grief- Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance

The stages are not meant to be complete or chronological. Not everyone who experiences a life-threatening or life-changing loss feels all five of the responses nor will everyone who does experience them do so in an order.

• Individual should seek help when they are unable to cope,grief is intense and does not ease, insomnia, weight loss or gain,hampers physical or emotional wellbeing, agitation, depression, guilt or despair does not go away and persistent suicidal thoughts

• Treatment through medication and therapy

#SocialPhobia/#Performance Anxiety

Individuals experience persistent, intense chronic fear or anxiety in one or two particular situations, like speaking in public or initiating a conversation. Some are very anxious and afraid of any social situation like talking to strangers, speaking in public, making eye contact, entering rooms, using public restrooms, going to parties, eating in front of other people, going to school or work or starting conversations

• They fear being judged or watched by others in social situations ,being embarrassed or humiliated and being judged or watched by others in social situations. They often experience physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, muscle tension, dizziness and light headedness, blushing, crying, sweating, stomach trouble and diarrhoea, breathlessness and an “out-of-body” sensation.

• Leads to low self-esteem, negative thoughts, depression, sensitivity to criticism, poor social skills that don’t improve

• Treatment with medication to manage anxiety and therapy