Disparities in mental health diagnoses and treatments among women: A historical and theoretical review
Author(s): TA Rossman and Harit Agroia
Abstract: Historically, women worldwide have experienced disproportionate diagnoses of mental health conditions and related psychiatric institutionalization compared to men. The purpose of this historical review was to understand the extent to which these diagnoses have disproportionately impacted women within mental health systems, specifically their human and civil rights. The feminist and objectification theories served as the lens and framework to investigate this aim. Through this review, we present findings from several case studies such as those that explain how unconfirmed mental diagnoses (e.g., hysteria) were used as the basis for initiating treatments among women by medical providers, resulting in severe and harmful long-term impact. Such treatments include extensive or permanent internment in mental institutions, lobotomies, electric shock treatments, involuntary mind-altering injections and psychiatric drugs that cause short- and long-term cognitive and physiological damage. We further explore possible reasons for initiating treatment without confirmed diagnoses. Findings suggest that internalized patriarchal conceptions and financial incentives are two main drivers for premature treatment initiation. Overall results indicate that due to sociocultural and economic oppression, repression, abuse, enforcement of women’s inferior status by patriarchal structures, and social class, women have been and continue to experience disproportionate diagnoses of mental health disorders compared to their counterparts. Themes of oppression, sexism, and adverse physiological alterations emerged when assessing how human and civil rights were violated. We recommend further increased awareness efforts among mental health care providers to facilitate improved understanding of the neurological and physical effects of psychiatric treatments and implementation of respective modification of services. Systems-level changes within socio-cultural, patriarchal, economic and insurance systems that marginalize women are necessary to mitigate the detrimental impact of such disparate experiences among women and their overall health.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2024.v6.i2b.297Pages: 85-98 | Views: 766 | Downloads: 437Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
TA Rossman, Harit Agroia.
Disparities in mental health diagnoses and treatments among women: A historical and theoretical review. Int J Hist 2024;6(2):85-98. DOI:
10.22271/27069109.2024.v6.i2b.297
