Sex differences in psychotropic drug use

In surveys women consistently report more physical and emotional symptoms than men, that they more frequently seek help for these discomforts, and that physicians perceive women's complaints as more often related to some form of mental disorder or to a series of vague and poorly defined symptoms.

Abstract

The first part of this paper reviews three factors associated with drug taking behaviour. It shows that in surveys women consistently report more physical and emotional symptoms than men, that they more frequently seek help for these discomforts, and that physicians perceive women's complaints as more often related to some form of mental disorder or to a series of vague and poorly defined symptoms as compared to men. The Ontario Insurance Agency Data are shown to be consistent with other findings in the literature. More women than men consume psychotropic drugs and they consume them in larger quantities. The author suggests in conclusion that the study of drug taking behaviour be based on a broader perspective than that of purely individual considerations.