By Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry - March 24, 2025

Mental health isn’t just a private struggle anymore; it’s a conversation happening everywhere. Whether it’s a quick scroll through social media, catching up with friends over coffee, overhearing a chat on the subway, or even standing in line waiting for the bus, people are opening up in ways they never have before. 

Awareness and acceptance of mental health needs are growing, and more people, including high-profile celebrities like Lady Gaga and Zendaya, are openly sharing their experiences. 

It’s an issue where women, in particular, face unique challenges related to biological changes, societal pressures, and everyday life stressors. Women are being diagnosed with mental health conditions at an increasing rate. In the U.S., 7.1% of women are diagnosed with serious mental illness compared to 4.8% of men. In New York City, an estimated 13% of women experienced depression in 2022.

Why Women Experience Higher Rates of Depression and Anxiety

Women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression, often due to higher rates of trauma, chronic stress from juggling multiple roles, and hormonal fluctuations. They also report higher levels of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders.  

Additionally, social biases can lead to their concerns, struggles, and experiences being dismissed, and the stigma surrounding mental health may prevent them from seeking help. In places like New York City, where three-fourths of intimate partner violence felony assaults were against women in 2020 and 2021, the impact of trauma on mental health is especially concerning.

According to Dr. David Woo, head clinical psychiatrist and founder of Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry, the entrenched perception of women’s psychiatric struggles has been an ongoing barrier to women feeling comfortable seeking help. 

“For a long time, symptoms of depression or anxiety have been more likely to be attributed to hysteria or over-emotionality in women than when seen in men,” he says. “This stigma causes many women to minimize their symptoms or delay seeking help.”

New and Emerging Treatments for Women’s Mental Health

The good news is that advances in mental health research are making a difference. Help is available, healthcare providers have more treatment options at their disposal, and women have more choices than ever to address their mental well-being. 

Traditional Approaches: Therapy and Medication

Talking with a therapist can be helpful to many people. Medications prescribed by psychiatrists can also make a difference. However, they can come with annoying or significant side effects like weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and drowsiness. They also don’t work for everyone, may only partly work, or otherwise be “treatment resistant.” Estimates vary, but 20-30% of people with major depressive disorder don’t respond to treatment, especially among women and adults aged 45-65.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A Non-Invasive Alternative to Depression Treatment

For women who have not responded to traditional treatments, suffer from medication side effects, or are looking for less invasive therapies, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a promising alternative. TMS is an FDA-approved, non-invasive procedure overseen by a medical practitioner. It uses painless magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. Studies show that TMS is particularly effective for treatment-resistant depression, but also works in treating other mental health conditions like anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and postpartum depression.

There are few studies evaluating the short-term and long-term efficacy and safety of TMS for major depressive disorder (MDD) during pregnancy. The studies that have been conducted indicate that TMS is a safe and effective treatment. Women have shown improvement in both maternal functioning and depressive symptoms after receiving TMS treatment.

Unlike medication, TMS has no side effects, making it an appealing treatment. Sessions are conducted over several weeks in a clinical setting. As a bonus, patients can resume their daily activities immediately after leaving the office.

“TMS and medications have very similar success rates for women with depression. For patients who do not respond to medications and/or psychotherapy, TMS is a safe, clinically proven option,” says Dr. Woo.

Ketamine Therapy: New Emerging Treatment

Ketamine therapies like Spravato are growing in popularity for treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD, especially for those who haven’t found relief with traditional medications. Only administered in a controlled medical setting, ketamine works by rapidly restoring neural connections in the brain, increasing feelings of well-being, and easing distressing symptoms. Unlike conventional antidepressants, which can take weeks to take effect, ketamine therapy often provides relief within hours or days. 

Holistic: Lifestyle and Mind-Body Interventions for Women’s Mental Health

Lifestyle interventions play a key role in mental health management. Women are incorporating regular exercise, mindfulness practices, gut health, and improved nutrition to increase well-being.

Seeking Help and Taking the First Step

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health challenges, Madison Avenue TMS offers innovative treatments that may help. Fill out our contact form or call us at (212) 731-2033 to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options.

Seeking help is a sign of strength, and with the right support, recovery is possible.

Additional Resources:

• NYC 988 Phone or text 988.  Phone (Español): 988, Aprete 2. Free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance misuse support, information and referral.
• Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health: Brochure on how to get mental health & substance use services for all New Yorkers: https://mentalhealth.cityofnewyork.us/how-to-access
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org
• Postpartum Support International: https://www.postpartum.net
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: https://adaa.org

Madison Avenue TMS & Psychiatry