Debra-Lynn B Hook- March 2012
Summary: Mental health is a subject that should be talked more about openly. Hook toys to expose the reality of mental illnesses women face everyday in her Mental Health Issues in Women article. The reality is that 23 percent of the women American population suffered from a diagnosable mental health-related disorder in the past year. The illnesses that women face can sometimes differ from what a man will face in his lifetime. The sad thing is, most of these cases will go undiagnosed and not be treated. Women can face illnesses like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Why does our gender affect our mental health so much? There are three main factors that Hook says affects our mental health. The first is from biological influences where our hormones have effects on how we react after events. The next contribution is socio-cultural influences where our status can control mental health. Behavioral influences also prove to play a role when women and men can react differently when faced with mental illness. The article brings light to the reality of women facing mental illness here in America and how it can effect their everyday life.
Response: This article was filled with statistical information. It is important for people to understand this information so they can be well educated on the subject. Hook says 29 million women in America face the reality of a mental illness. As a young woman that will face marriage, building a career, and pregnancy in the near future, this topic is an important one to myself. I want to be able to know the realistic effects of the challenges I am going to face. That is why it is so important for women my age to educate themselves on the research and patterns found linked between gender and mental illness. As more research comes to light and there is greater understanding of women’s mental health issues, experts are hopeful that targeted treatments will bring better results and more positive outcomes for women with mental health conditions. Women are a vital part to society and we must understand how our body and mind will react to certain circumstances are know the right steps to follow to bring peace of mind.
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