HomeBlogPatientAre Women at a Mental Health “Breaking Point”? Are Women at a Mental Health “Breaking Point”? May 11, 2022Patient Two out of three women diagnosed with depression or anxiety say they have reached or are approaching their breaking point with regard to their mental health. That’s according to our latest nationwide survey, the GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor. Four out of 10 women without a diagnosis of depression or anxiety say they have reached or are reaching this point. Two out of three women diagnosed with depression or anxiety say they have reached or are approaching their breaking point with regard to their mental health, the survey reports. A breaking point is different for everyone, but it can be a combination of feeling frustrated, angry, overwhelmed, depressed or anxious, in a way that prevents you from being yourself and doing your everyday activities. In the GeneSight survey, four in 10 women not previously diagnosed with anxiety or depression also responded that they have reached or are reaching this breaking point. The good news is that effective treatment options for depression and anxiety are available – if women are able to connect to these resources. The Pressure Facing Women Many mental health professionals are not surprised that women have been feeling an increased sense of burden. “The extra toll on women’s mental health makes sense given what we know about how many women have had to leave the workforce in order to care for children or other family members at home, or are dealing with an impossible and constant juggling act of kids, plus career, plus other responsibilities,” according to Naomi Torres-Mackie, Ph.D., head of research at the Mental Health Coalition, in Verywell Mind. She says when these responsibilities add up, “it becomes harder for women to care for themselves, which in turn affects their mental health.” Women may feel pressure that prevents them from speaking up or seeking treatment for depression and anxiety symptoms. “Women often feel pressure to ‘hold it all together’ and not admit when they are struggling,” Dr. Betty Jo “BJ” Fancher, a family medicine and psychiatric physician assistant with a doctorate of medical science and a masters in psychopharmacology, tells GeneSight. “Yet, if you are sobbing on the floor of your shower, throwing things in anger or repeatedly screaming into a pillow, these are signals that you have crossed a line and should see a healthcare provider about your mental health.” The (Delayed) Road to Seeking Treatment According to the GeneSight survey, more than half (51%) of women diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression waited at least one year before seeking treatment – or never sought treatment at all. Along with feeling pressure to “hold it all together,” some women are reluctant to seek help based on how their mental health concerns have been received by family and friends. Six in 10 of the women surveyed with depression or anxiety diagnosis say they have been ignored or dismissed by family, friends, and/or partners about their mental health concerns. Less than half of women (44%) say they talk to friends or family to relieve stress and anxiety, according to the survey. Many women reported they thought their anxiety and depression symptoms were “just a phase,” with half of the women responding: “I didn’t want anyone to know I was struggling.” However, these conditions, while they can feel heavy or complicated, are treatable. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) notes that “several forms of psychotherapy are effective” in treating anxiety and depression, and medication can be useful. “Symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders often occur together, and research shows that both respond to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medications,” the ADAA website states. In the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor, six in 10 women diagnosed with depression or anxiety agree that taking a prescription medication was the most helpful step in treating their anxiety or depression symptoms, more than any other action or treatment option offered in the survey, including therapy. Getting Help When You Need It It’s important to reach out for help when needed. Healthcare providers can provide women with treatment plans based on their unique symptoms and other health factors. And when medication is recommended, clinicians may use personalized genetic testing. The GeneSight test, for example, offers clinicians genetic information about their patients to help them understand how they may metabolize or respond to certain medications that are commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD and other mental health conditions. In the survey, only about 30% of women who have been prescribed psychiatric medication are aware of genetic testing that may help their physicians with prescribing decisions, and only 8% of women have been tested. It’s important to be aware of all of the resources that are available to help. When it’s not just a bad day, it’s a bad couple of weeks – or when you or someone you love can’t shake it off anymore, or you feel stuck – it’s time to find support. “The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor found that women are waiting more than a year – longer than they should – to get the mental health treatment they need,” noted Rachael Earls, PhD, a medical science liaison with Myriad Genetics, makers of the GeneSight test. “It is critical to receive treatment for mental health because we know that mental health conditions are highly comorbid with other physical diseases, such as cancer, stroke, heart disease. Why live with a mental health condition that can impact every aspect of your life until you reach a breaking point?” For more information, please visit: https://genesight.com/mental-health-monitor/ https://genesight.com/genetic-insights/snapshots-of-women-depression/ https://genesight.com/blog/patient/life-changes-women-and-depression/ Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... 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Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Patient Which Mental Health Provider Should I Consider? A Symptom-Based Guide The support of a good healthcare provider can make all the difference when you’re struggling with your mental health. But how do you connect to one in a sea of ... Read more
Patient One explanation for why we experience Side Effects? Understanding Your Genetic Response to Antidepressants Antidepressants often play an essential role in helping patients with their mental health conditions. But as many patients can attest, it’s frustrating when... Read more
Patient Barriers at Every Turn: How Systemic and Social Factors Block Men from Mental Health Care Taking the important step of seeking care for mental health isn’t always an easy decision. Uncertainty about the need for care, social stigmas associated wi... Read more
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more