Epidemiology of Psychiatric Disorders in Women

Abstract

Mental disorders are a serious public health problem, ranking among the leading causes of disability in the world, with important gender differences. While women present higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders, men present higher prevalence estimates of substance use and conduct disorders. This chapter explores the differences in incidence rates, prevalence estimates, psychosocial and biological determinants, and the course and consequences of mental disorders across genders. In the first section, a brief introduction to the global burden of mental disorders is presented. Gender differences across the main groups of mental disorders found in major population-based studies are discussed in section two. Finally, gender differences in mood and anxiety disorders are described in more detail in section three.