Historically, most mental health studies focused on men, as did most health studies in general. Depending on the era, women’s mental health was either overlooked altogether or chalked up to things like “hysteria.” But 21st-century research has consistently shown that there are fundamental differences in men’s and women’s mental health. And the LGBTQ+ community is experiencing its own unique mental health challenges. For these reasons, it’s important to look at all groups separately while prioritizing help for all. Below, we’ll explore mental health in men vs. women, including those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Mental health: Men vs. women
We don’t yet know exactly what causes mental health concerns among various groups. But one thing we do know is that different genders experience mental health issues at roughly the same rates. But how they are experienced differs among genders. Women are more likely to experience internalizing disorders such as depression and anxiety, while men more frequently experience externalizing disorders such as antisocial personality and substance abuse. But these are merely trends, and all genders can suffer from the same mental health concerns.
Even when facing the exact same diagnosis, though, different genders often show different symptoms. For example, men with depression are more likely to attempt suicide. Women with depression are more likely to develop eating disorders or obesity. Women tend to report more physical complaints, while men often report experiencing a greater number of traumatic events.
Much of this is likely due to societal shaping. Everyone experiences stress. However, women are generally taught to express their feelings, while men have traditionally been taught to repress them. Men have also historically held the power majority and controlled most of the money, perhaps giving them more opportunities to take out their frustrations in an external way. But women have most often been viewed as caretakers, which has created an entirely different, though no less meaningful, set of stressors and behavioral response patterns.
LGBTQ+ people, historically, have not been free to live authentically. Often bullied for being different and worried about rejection, the community has been one of the least able to find healthy outlets for stress and anxiety. Yet today, members of the LGBTQ+ community are 2.5 times more likely to seek mental health treatment than their peers.
The stigma around men’s mental health
Of course, men are not immune from the societal pressures surrounding mental health, either. Traditionally in many parts of the U.S., men were expected to be stoic or to minimize emotions. Many boys were taught from a young age not to cry, and the strong, silent type was long held up as a masculine ideal. This is thankfully changing, but the stigma surrounding mental health continues to hold many men and their families in its grip.
The chicken or the egg?
More than 39% of members of the LGBTQ+ community report experiencing some sort of mental health disorder in the past year.
Part of the problem with properly identifying and treating mental health concerns in both women and members of this community is that it’s difficult to determine causation. Are people in these historically marginalized groups more likely to suffer from mental health issues simply by virtue of being female or LGBTQ+? Or do bullying, societal expectations, and other external factors raise the risk for psychological challenges?
Seeking help
Thankfully, many of these stigmas have begun to lift. People of all genders, including public figures, have begun to focus on mental health. Who can forget gymnast Simone Biles prioritizing her own mental health at the Tokyo Olympics or swimmer Michael Phelps opening up about the depression and anxiety he faced as he set historic Olympic records? Both are considered the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in their respective sports, yet both face similar challenges as so many others.
Deciding to seek professional help isn’t easy, but the rewards are well worth it. Regardless of gender or background, talk to your doctor if you feel like your mental health is not at its best. If appropriate, your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist to help you get the best possible care for your unique needs. From short-term talk therapy to a variety of medications, you now have more treatment options, and your mental health professional will work with you to find what’s best for you.