Abstract

DEL RIO-PEDRAZA, Carmen. Medicalization of disease in women. A critical appraisal. Rev. Asoc. Esp. Neuropsiq. [online]. 2022, vol.42, n.141, pp.55-73.  Epub July 18, 2022. ISSN 2340-2733.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s0211-57352022000100004.

Historically, the physiology of women has been associated with mental illness, resulting in a biologic, androcentric, and patriarchal view of insanity, and, consequently, unequal clinical practices. Today, these inequalities still exist, as we can see reflected in the higher number of mental health diagnoses in women and the higher prescription of psychotropic drugs for them. The objective of this article is to make a critical assessment of the structure that supports constructs in mental health. To do this, we provide an historical background in order to examine the patriarchal legacy in the field of medicine, specifically in mental health. After that, the sexist biases that exist in this field are reviewed. Finally, we conclude with the need for a paradigm shift to reveal the existing gender conditioning factors that can explain this high prevalence of mental disorder and greater prescription of psychotropic drugs in women.

Keywords : mental health; gender; gender bias.

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