Silenced and Overlooked: The Impact of Societal Norms on Women’s Mental Health Care

"She is just being dramatic." At first glance, this phrase might seem harmless—something said to brush off a moment of intensity. However, it says a lot about how our society views women's emotions: exaggerated, unreliable, or simply not worth taking seriously. For generations, women have been cast as overly emotional or mentally fragile. These stereotypes did not disappear with time—they just changed form. Today, they still influence how women are treated in mental healthcare. From outdated diagnoses to modern-day dismissal of symptoms, gender bias is still baked into the system. These assumptions lead to misdiagnosis, delays in care, and a lack of meaningful support. If we want to change this, we must understand where these ideas come from and how they appear in everyday healthcare experiences.

Historical Context and Persistent Stereotypes

Historically, women's mental health was not taken seriously. Back in the 1800s, if a woman showed signs of depression or fatigue—or even just stood up for herself—she might be labeled with "hysteria" and placed in an asylum. This so-called diagnosis was more about controlling behavior than addressing health. Over time, those outdated ideas morphed into subtler dismissals. When a woman shares concerns about her health, she might still be told she is stressed or "overreacting." These patterns are more than frustrating; they are harmful. Understanding this history helps explain why gender bias in mental healthcare is still so hard to shake. Even in modern settings, echoes of these ideas persist, influencing how seriously—or not—providers take female patients.

One example of this is diagnostic overshadowing. That is when a woman's physical symptoms are ignored or explained away as part of a mental health condition. Imagine someone going to the doctor with chest pain and being told it is probably anxiety—without getting proper tests. Unfortunately, this kind of thing happens more often to women. Zirnsak et al. (2024) found that many women felt their doctors had already made assumptions before they even started talking. That kind of bias can delay important diagnoses and leave women feeling dismissed and discouraged. It also creates a long-term sense of uncertainty, where women begin questioning whether their bodies can be trusted or if they will ever be taken seriously.

Medical Dismissal and Emotional Consequences

Closely tied to this is something called medical gaslighting—when doctors minimize or invalidate a patient's symptoms. For women, especially those with a history of mental illness, this experience is far too common. As Zirnsak et al. (2024) explain, this does not just create emotional harm—it can lead to real, physical consequences. When patients leave a clinic feeling like they were not heard, they are less likely to go back. Moreover, that means symptoms worsen, diagnoses are delayed, and the cycle continues. Over time, this erodes trust and can make women feel like they must constantly fight to be taken seriously. This emotional labor adds an invisible burden that men, who are often perceived as more medically credible, might not face to the same extent.

Gender Bias in Diagnoses

Gender bias also shows up in how mental health conditions are diagnosed. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is diagnosed far more often in women, while men with similar symptoms are more likely to be diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). This difference is not based purely on science—it is often driven by stereotypes. Emotional intensity gets labeled as "female," while aggression is seen as "male." Friedrichs and Kellmeyer (2022) explain that even the tools used to diagnose mental illness, like the DSM, were built with a male-centric perspective. That means women may be mislabeled, affecting the kind of care they get—or whether they get care at all. Moreover, that is a big deal. A woman misdiagnosed with BPD might not receive the right kind of therapy, or she could be seen as too difficult to treat. These labels have long-term consequences, often affecting personal relationships and employment opportunities. When the diagnosis itself becomes a barrier to empathy, the healing process is interrupted before it even begins.

Social Expectations and Mental Health Burden

Outside of the doctor's office, societal expectations put added pressure on women's mental health. One prominent example is the "second shift"—all the unpaid work women do at home after a full day of paid work. Bennett (2023) found that women still do more chores and caregiving than men, even in households where both partners work full-time. That constant workload leads to burnout, stress, and exhaustion. Moreover, when women seek help, their stress is often blamed on them—like they need better time management or more self-care. However, this is not about individual choices. It is about systems and expectations that need to change. When healthcare providers overlook this context, women's symptoms are often misinterpreted or minimized, preventing them from receiving the support they truly need.

There is also the emotional toll of always having to keep it together. In many households, women are expected to be the emotional anchor, the default parent, and the nurturer. While fulfilling, these roles can also be overwhelming, especially when they come with little recognition or support. When these expectations are combined with societal messages that women should remain composed and agreeable, it can create a toxic environment where expressing mental distress is seen as a weakness. The pressure to "just deal with it" runs deep, and it can prevent women from seeking help until they are at a breaking point.

Men’s Mental Health and Gender Norms:

It is important to recognize that men face their struggles when it comes to mental health. The pressure to be strong, silent, and self-reliant keeps many men from opening up or seeking help. Chatmon (2020) points out that these traditional ideas about masculinity lead men to avoid therapy or ignore symptoms. So, while women often deal with dismissal, men face silence. Both outcomes are damaging. If we are going to fix mental healthcare, we need to understand how these gender norms hurt everyone—and design care that works for all people. A gender-inclusive approach does not just improve care for women—it raises the standard for everyone by normalizing emotional honesty and compassion.

A Real-Life Example of Systemic Failure

Real-life stories help bring these issues to life. Take Serena, a woman in her early 30s who started experiencing fatigue, insomnia, and mood swings. She went to multiple doctors, but each one chalked her symptoms up to work-related stress. It was not until she insisted on more testing that she was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition. Had she been believed sooner, she could have started treatment earlier and avoided months of suffering. Sadly, Serena's story is familiar. Too many women must push and persist just to be taken seriously. These are not isolated experiences; they are systemic patterns that cost lives, resources, and well-being.

Call to Action and Solutions

So, what can be done about it? First, doctors and healthcare professionals need better training to recognize bias and listen more openly. We also need to take a fresh look at diagnostic tools like the DSM to ensure they are inclusive and fair. Schools that train future doctors and therapists should discuss these issues honestly and directly. Research should reflect a broader range of experiences, not just the most studied or convenient ones.

Furthermore, beyond the clinic, our culture must change. We must move away from stereotypes and start treating each person's experience as valid. That means listening without judgment, asking better questions, and believing patients when they describe their feelings. It also means funding mental health services that are accessible and compassionate, especially in underserved communities.

Conclusion

Improving mental health care for women—and everyone—means more than expanding access. It means changing the way we think about mental illness, emotions, and gender. The system still carries the weight of old assumptions, and those assumptions hurt people every day. Women are told they are being dramatic; men are told to tough it out. And in both cases, people are left to suffer in silence. However, we can change that. By challenging stereotypes, listening more, and treating every patient human being, we can build a mental healthcare system that finally does what it is meant to: help people heal. The goal is not just better care, it is a world where asking for help is seen as a strength, treatment is equitable, and everyone feels heard, understood, and respected.

References

Bennett, B. (2024). Women Working Overtime: The Influence of the Second Shift Discrepancy on Relationship and Life Satisfaction. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

Chatmon, B. N. (2020). Males and Mental Health Stigma. American Journal of Men’s Health, 14(4), 1557988320949322–1557988320949322. https://doi.org/10.1177/155798832094932

Friedrichs, K., & Kellmeyer, P. (2022). Neurofeminism: Feminist critiques of research on sex/gender differences in the neurosciences. The European Journal of Neuroscience, 56(11), 5987–6002. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15834

Zirnsak, T., Elwyn, R., McLoughlan, G., LeCouteur, E., Green, C., Hill, N., . . . Maylea, C. (2024, April 29). “I have to fight for them to investigate things”: a qualitative exploration of physical and mental healthcare for women diagnosed with mental illness. Frontiers Public Health, 12, 1360561–1360561. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360561