Culturally Promoted Behaviors that can be labeled as Mental Disorders

There are a number of behaviors and tendencies that are promoted by our culture in men and women. In this section we will discuss some of those, with reference to the labels that they may acquire.

• Women Reaction to Phobias:

1.      Women are more prone than men to essentially all anxiety disorders. Simple phobia is twice as common in women as in men. Phobic objects tend to be the same for men and women (animals, heights, blood, airplanes), but women score somewhat higher on fear questionnaires such as the Fear Survey Schedule commonly used to assess the severity of phobias.

2.      From very early childhood, girls learn to be scared of insects, animals, strangers, and strange situations. Besides, a feeling of dependence on the ‘perceived protectors’, mothers as role models are possible contributory factor. Young boys do not have fathers as role models for phobias and fears.

3.      Girls are kept protected, much more than boys.

• Women Reaction to PSTD:

1.      A large study of a treated study group with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) showed a rate of 11% in women and 7% in men. The investigators from their data to estimate that 31% of women and 19% of men who are exposed to major trauma develop PTSD symptoms. In other words, when exposed to a traumatic life event, more women than men develop PTSD.

• Women Reaction to Anxiety:

1.      Women have a substantially higher risk of developing lifetime anxiety disorders compared with men. However, the reasons for the increased risk in developing an anxiety disorder in women are still unknown and have yet to be adequately investigated. Evidence from various studies has suggested that genetic factors and female reproductive hormones may play important roles in the expression of these gender differences.

2.      Most women are trained to be dependent upon men. They are taught, directly or indirectly, that men are their protectors and saviors, and they cannot face the world outside home without a man. Major decisions are usually taken by men, about the household, girls’ education, occupation, mobility and marriage. As a result, women find it hard to take independent decisions. Therefore, whenever they are caught in a problem situation, they feel anxiety. Consequently, one finds more women expressing anxiety and helplessness.

• Women Reaction to Depression:

1.      Men are discouraged from expressing pain, hurt, and grief. Women and young girls are not discouraged, from an open expression of such feelings.

2.      For women, crying, weeping, sighing, and lamenting are socially acceptable behavior. At the same time anger and aggression are discouraged in woman and considered acceptable for men.

3.      Consequently, women may cry, and lament uninhibitedly, but may not be expected and allowed to express anger over matters involving their relationship with men, no matter who they are, fathers, brothers, or husbands.


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