ETIOLOGICAL GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown particular differences found
in both gender neurotic disorders but not in psychotic disorders with regard to environmental factors. But research in
this area in Pakistan is direly needed. Aims & Objectives: To find out what gender; either male or female more affect
from environmental factors whether they are susceptible of that disorder or not and to find out the “etiology of gender
differences in psychological disorder”. Design: Non-interventional comparative study. Setting: Department of
Psychiatry, District Headquarters Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: From May 2005 to Oct 2005. Material and Methods:
A total of 80 patients of all ages are taken from in which we divide the sample i.e. each disorder comprises of 20
patients 10 male and 10 females. The Hospital that used is DHQ Hospital Faisalabad. We have used the random
selection. The study is comprises of patient having Mood disorder, Anxiety, schizophrenia and personality disorder.
For the simple analysis of data, percentages were applied for the statistical analysis. Results: The result showed that
hypothesis is supported because there are significant differences (i.e. 42.5% > 30%) found as environmental factors
affect more universally on females. Conclusion: Environmental factors affect more in women psychological health.
Etiological gender differences in psychological disorders with special reference of mood disorder, anxiety disorder,
schizophrenia and personality disorders are real and these gender differences may be due to their both nature or
nurture gender. There are significant etiological gender differences in neurotic disorders i.e. Depression and anxiety
disorder and minor difference in psychotic disorders i.e. Schizophrenia and mania.