By Dr. David Woo - July 31, 2023

Whether due to pressure from work or a difficult life situation, sometimes we can feel stuck in a routine that’s not good for our mental health. The new experiences offered by travel can be a great way to break a negative pattern or find some relief from the triggers of depression or anxiety. Maybe the change in seasons always brings down our mood–what is known as seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder–and a change of scenery would do us good.

Whether you have a familiar spot you like to go to relax each year or you enjoy the experience of exploring new destinations, travel can sometimes do wonders for our mental health. As we think about our mental health in summer, let’s consider the benefits of travel for our well-being.

Relief From Seasonal Depression

Seasonal depression is real and can take the form of summer seasonal depression as well as winter depression. In the case of winter depression, a lack of sunlight can affect our body’s ability to produce melatonin and serotonin–both chemicals that play a role in regulating our mood. Less sunlight could explain why winter-pattern season affective disorder is more common in countries that experience much less daylight during the winter months. In these cases, a trip to a sunnier destination during the winter could be just the trick to expose ourselves to more daylight and boost our mood (1).

Summer depression is a different story. In this case, the environmental factors linked to depressive symptoms are high heat and humidity levels. These factors can disrupt the body’s production of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin—all brain chemicals associated with mood and body temperature regulation (2,3). Pollen and allergies have also been connected to summer seasonal depression and can affect our mood (4,5). Patients with summer seasonal depression can experience relief from symptoms by traveling north to cooler climates during the summer months (6).

A Break From Anxiety Triggers

For some people with anxiety, their daily routines of work, family, or social life can be stressful and sometimes trigger their anxiety symptoms. The simple act of taking a vacation can calm a turbulent mind, especially if we have a stressful work routine. One study has shown that the stress-reducing effect of a short break can last up to forty-five days after the trip (7).

Aside from the benefits of relaxation and distance from our triggers, the new experiences associated with travel can recharge our mental energy and expose us to new ways of looking at the world and our own lives. After a good vacation, we can come back with the energy and the fresh outlook we need to try to solve our problems in a new way or make positive changes in our lives.

Limitations Of Travel For Mental Health

Travel can be a fantastic mood booster, but we cannot rely on it as an easy cure-all for our mental health problems. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition, it is important to seek treatment. This usually takes the form of talk therapy or medications. If medication isn’t effective in relieving your symptoms, then transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may be a good option for you.

Women and mental health is a critical topic that deserves attention, as research shows that women are more susceptible to certain mental health conditions, such as depression, compared to men. Women often face unique challenges related to hormonal changes, gender roles, and societal expectations that can impact their mental well-being. Additionally, women’s mental health issues can manifest differently, and they may encounter barriers or discrimination when seeking treatment. At Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry, we are committed to providing compassionate care and effective treatment options tailored to the specific needs of women, including talk therapy, medication management services, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Let´s break down the state of women’s mental health issues today, and how innovative treatments can help patients overcome traditional barriers to wellness.

Jump to:

• Are Women More Susceptible To Certain Mental Health Conditions?
• Do Women Manifest Different Mental Health Symptoms?
• Gender Differences In Symptoms Of Mood Disorders
• Barriers Women Face In Mental Health Treatment
• Treatment Options For Women’s Mental Health Issues
• Get Compassionate Mental Health Care At Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry

Are Women More Susceptible To Certain Mental Health Conditions?

Studies indicate that women are more likely than men to experience certain mental health disorders. This discrepancy between the sexes is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Key statistics include:

• Depression: Women are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to men (1, 2). Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause can contribute to this increased risk.
• Anxiety Disorders: Women are more likely to experience anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, and phobias (4).
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Women are more than twice as likely as men to develop PTSD after experiencing traumatic events. Women are also more likely to experience certain types of trauma, such as sexual violence, which further increases the risk of PTSD (5).
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): OCD affects both men and women, but women tend to have a later onset and are more likely to develop OCD related to contamination fears and compulsive cleaning (6, 7).
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is often underdiagnosed in women, who may present with inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactivity. As a result, many women remain undiagnosed until adulthood (8).
• Bipolar Disorder: Women are more likely to experience rapid cycling (more frequent mood changes) and mixed states of bipolar disorder compared to men, making it essential to identify gender-specific symptoms and treatment plans (9).
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): Approximately 75% of those diagnosed with BPD are women, with symptoms often linked to trauma, emotional instability, and interpersonal difficulties (10).

Do Women Manifest Different Mental Health Symptoms?

Women’s mental health issues often manifest differently compared to men, which can impact diagnosis and treatment. Mental health is not one-size-fits-all, and symptoms can present across the entire gender spectrum. However, women as a demographic display some differences in symptoms in certain conditions, such as:

• Depression: Women with depression may experience more physical symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, and sleep disturbances, while men may report more irritability and anger.
• Anxiety: Anxiety in women often manifests as internalizing symptoms like excessive worry, phobias, rumination, and physical complaints (e.g., headaches, fatigue), whereas men tend to present externally, with a higher prevalence of irritability and risky behaviors.
• PTSD: Women are more likely to experience symptoms such as hypervigilance, avoidance, and emotional numbing, while men may exhibit higher levels of aggression.
• ADHD: Women with ADHD often show inattentiveness, forgetfulness, and disorganization, which can be mistaken for anxiety or depression.
• Bipolar Disorder: Women with bipolar disorder tend to have more depressive episodes and fewer manic episodes than men, which can affect how the disorder is perceived and treated.
• OCD: Women are more likely to develop OCD symptoms related to caretaking, contamination, and morality.

Hormonal changes in women, including pregnancy and the menstrual cycle, may also account for variations in symptoms. Pregnant women, new mothers, and pre- and post-menopausal women all experience changes in their body chemistry that can affect their vulnerability to certain mental health disorders as well as the presentation and severity of symptoms. It´s important to note that hormonal factors should not be an excuse for anyone to dismiss or minimize mental health symptoms—our mental health is intimately linked to our biochemistry, and hormones are a natural part of that.

Gender Differences In Symptoms Of Mood Disorders

This table presents an overview of gender-based differences in symptom manifestation in common mental health conditions:

Barriers Women Face In Mental Health Treatment

Despite the higher prevalence of mental health disorders among women, many face significant barriers to accessing effective care due to the negative impacts of sexism and societal expectations of women (11).

• Misdiagnosis: Women are often misdiagnosed or have their symptoms attributed to hormonal changes or emotional overreaction, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment.
• Financial and time constraints: Caregiving responsibilities and lower income levels can prevent women from seeking timely mental health care.
• Gender discrimination: Some women report experiencing discrimination in the healthcare system, where their concerns are not taken seriously or dismissed, impacting their willingness to seek treatment.

Treatment Options For Women’s Mental Health Issues

At Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry, we offer a range of treatment options designed to address women’s mental health issues. These include:

• Medication management: Personalized treatment plans to manage conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and bipolar disorder
• Telehealth consultations: Convenient access to mental health care from the comfort of home, making it easier for women to prioritize their mental well-being.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A non-invasive and effective treatment option for depression, OCD, and anxiety, particularly for those who have not responded to medication or therapy. 

As a drug-free depression treatment, TMS is safe for women who want to avoid the potential pharmaceutical interactions and side effects that come with taking antidepressants. This means that TMS is an effective treatment to undergo for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on hormonal medications for birth control, menopause, or other reasons.

Get Compassionate Mental Health Care At Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry

Women face unique challenges when it comes to mental health, but effective treatments are available.

At Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry, we provide compassionate care tailored to the specific needs of women in a supportive environment. Our clinic stands for gender equality and mental health equity, and we encourage women with mental health concerns to contact us for a consultation without fear of discrimination or judgment.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues and based in the New York area, contact us today via our website or by calling (212) 731-2033. Our team of professionals is here to help you regain control of your mental well-being and lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.

More Resources On Women And Mental Health:

• Understanding Menopause Mood Swings
• BPD In Women: Know The Signs
• Bipolar Disorder In Women: Prevalence, Symptoms, And Treatment

Sources

1. Hyde, Janet S. PhD; Mezulis, Amy H. PhD. Gender Differences in Depression: Biological, Affective, Cognitive, and Sociocultural Factors. Harvard Review of Psychiatry 28(1):p 4-13, 1/2 2020. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
2. Albert, P. R. Why is depression more prevalent in women? Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience.. 2015;40(4), 219-221. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
3. Farhane-Medina, N. Z., Luque, B., Tabernero, C., & Castillo-Mayén, R. Factors associated with gender and sex differences in anxiety prevalence and comorbidity: A systematic review. Science Progress. 2022. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
4. Javaid, S.F., Hashim, I.J., Hashim, M.J. et al. Epidemiology of anxiety disorders: global burden and sociodemographic associations. Middle East Curr Psychiatry 2023;30, 44. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
5. Hiscox, L.V., Sharp, T., Olff, M. et al. Sex-Based Contributors to and Consequences of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 25. 2023; 233–245. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
6. Tiyatiye, B., & Akosile, W. (2022). A systematic review of prevalence of comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorders and substance use disorders in clinical settings, 1990-2021. Journal of Substance Use. 2022;29(2), 180–185. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
7. Dr. Noreena Kausar, Amna Ishaq, & Dr. Muneeb Ahmed Toor. (2023). Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Psychiatric Patients. PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF LAW, ANALYSIS AND WISDOM, 2023;2(02), 1032–1041. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
8. Hinshaw SP, Nguyen PT, O’Grady SM, Rosenthal EA. Annual Research Review: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in girls and women: underrepresentation, longitudinal processes, and key directions. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2022;Apr;63(4):484-496. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
9. Miola, A., Fountoulakis, K. N., Baldessarini, R. J., Veldic, M., Solmi, M., Rasgon, N., Ozerdem, A., Perugi, G., Frye, M. A., & Preti, A. (2023). Prevalence and outcomes of rapid cycling bipolar disorder: Mixed method systematic meta-review. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 2023;164, 404-415. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.
10. Bozzatello, P., Blua, C., Brandellero, D., Baldassarri, L., Brasso, C., Rocca, P., & Bellino, S. Gender differences in borderline personality disorder: A narrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2024;15, 1320546. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.

Garb, H. N. Race bias and gender bias in the diagnosis of psychological disorders. Clinical Psychology Review. 2021;90, 102087. Link. Accessed September 16, 2024.

TMS is a non-invasive treatment that has proven effective for anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. It works by applying a head-mounted device called a coil to the scalp, which sends tiny, barely perceptible magnetic pulses to the brain that stimulate the neural connections needed to regulate your mood. TMS is safe, non-pharmacological, and has been FDA-approved for cases where medication has proven insufficient.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, TMS may help you find relief. Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry provides talk therapy and TMS to treat a variety of mental health conditions. Contact us online or call (212) 731-2033 to make an appointment for consultation or treatment.

Sources:

1. Zal, H. M. “Seasonal affective disorder: helping those who suffer from ‘winter depression.’.” Consultant, 1991;31:1:65. Gale Academic OneFile. Link. Accessed 18 June 2023.
2. Chauhan NR, Kapoor M, Prabha Singh L, et al. Heat stress-induced neuroinflammation and aberration in monoamine levels in hypothalamus are associated with temperature dysregulation. Neuroscience. 2017;358:79-92. Link. Accessed June 17, 2023.
3. Lõhmus M. Possible biological mechanisms linking mental health and heat—a contemplative review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(7):1515. Link. Accessed June 17, 2023.
4. Postolache TT, Lapidus M, Sander ER, et al. Changes in allergy symptoms and depression scores are positively correlated in patients with recurrent mood disorders exposed to seasonal peaks in aeroallergens. ScientificWorldJournal. 2007;7:1968-1977. Link. Accessed June 17, 2023.
5. Manalai P, Hamilton RG, Langenberg P, et al. Pollen-specific immunoglobulin E positivity is associated with worsening of depression scores in bipolar disorder patients during high pollen season. Bipolar Disord. 2012;14(1):90-98. Link. Accessed June 17, 2023.
6. Could Summer Depression Be Seasonal Affective Disorder? Psychiatry Advisor. 2019. Link. Accessed June 17, 2023.
7. Blank C, Gatterer K, Leichtfried V, Pollhammer D, Mair-Raggautz M, Duschek S, Humpeler E, Schobersberger W. Short vacation improves stress-level and well-being in German-speaking middle-managers-a randomized controlled trial. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(1):130. Link.  Accessed June 17, 2023.

Dr. David Woo

Dr. Woo has been seeing patients in private practice since 2002, always with the goals of combining evidence-based medicine with psychodynamic psychotherapy and collaborating with other mental health professionals to ensure the best possible outcomes for his patients. He has been certified to administer TMS at his practice since 2017. His greatest clinical interests include helping patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder.