For the first time in history, Hippocrates opened a door to women's mental health by defining "hysteria", which he thought was a condition specific to women. Unfortunately, during the Middle Ages in Europe, many women diagnosed with hysteria were burned at the stake with claims such as "witches" or "a devil entered them". In the 19th century, hysteria was again considered as a disease by physicians such as Charcot, Herman and Freud, and this was the period when scientific studies on this subject began. However, in all these studies, social issues that could affect women's mental health were ignored until the late 20th century. At the end of the 20th century, it began to be accepted that situations such as discrimination experienced by women due to social sexism and violence against women were, in addition to biological reasons, one of the main determinants of women's mental health, and scientific studies focused on this field. Today, the definition of hysteria is no longer used in medical language due to the reasons that it includes complex and multiple syndromes, has an accusatory and stigmatizing meaning, and cannot be defined scientifically.
In the 2002 report of WHO, it is stated in the field of reproductive health in women's mental health. It is stated that there are many studies, but other areas are neglected. According to the report, the deterioration in women's mental health, rather than a biological predisposition, is associated with their exposure to life stress, poverty, lack of education, violence and discrimination more than men.
Differences specific to culture, economic status and environment emerge in women's lives. Women's sexuality, fertility, relationships with men and society also create differences in their psychological structures. Gender roles cause difficulties in women's ability to plan their lives freely and make their lives even more stressful. Pregnancy, birth, raising children, taking care of other members of the family, and difficulties in bilateral relations increase daily life problems. As a result of all these, women see the situations they experience as unchangeable, perceive themselves more negatively, have a decrease in self-esteem, internalize negativity and become more affected by environmental variables. results in a lot of impact. Socioeconomic status, gender roles, exposure to violence and biological factors (such as pregnancy, birth, menstrual cycle, menopause) directly affect women's mental health. Psychiatric diagnoses such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, somatoform disorders in which physical symptoms are at the forefront, post-traumatic stress disorders, sexual dysfunctions and eating disorders are significantly more common in women than in men.
Domestic violence against women and psychological disorders. It is an important factor directly related to health. It closely concerns both child mental health and women's mental health. Although there is a risk for almost every group of women, lack of education, poverty, having a different ethnic origin, divorce-separation process, and having a disability increase the risk of exposure to violence. Exposure to violence is itself associated with many mental illnesses, especially post-traumatic stress disorder. Currently, areas of sexist discrimination in psychiatric diagnosis systems and classifications or areas that need to be emphasized in terms of women's mental health are being discussed.
It is necessary to be aware of the importance of protecting and strengthening women's mental health for a healthy society. Therefore, as mental health professionals, while working with female patients, we do not forget that we face many factors not only in terms of mental diseases, but also women's biological reproductive cycle, exposure to domestic or social violence/discrimination, being away from education and working life, and lack of social support. We should aim to plan our treatment options accordingly and activate auxiliary support systems.
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