Gender-specific aspects of psychotherapy

Women perceive symptoms differently from men; they articulate them more strongly and draw upon medical facilities more often. Stereotypical notions of gender in doctors are susceptible to influence their diagnosis. Symptoms stated by women are more likely to be classified as psychogenic. Depression runs twice as high in women, and they possess a higher morbidity in respect to anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias, eating disorders and somatization disorders. In men, personality disorders, antisocial disorders and alcoholism that lead to psychosomatic and psychotherapeutic treatment are more prevalent. Whether a patient's psychotherapy should be carried out by a male or a female therapist depends on a multitude of factors. For every combination of genders between therapist and patient there are differences in how effectively a number of topics can be worked on. Notwithstanding, we are still at the outset in the process of providing treatment concepts incorporating gender-specific facets in high-pressure situations such as loss and grief or coping with cancer.