---
title: Are women over-diagnosed with mental illness because of psychiatry's gender bias?
description: The author argues yes. Women, particularly those who are working-class, Black, older, or lesbian, are at higher risk of over-diagnosis. PMS and PMDD are used
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/a-critical-feminist-analysis-of-madness-pathologising-femininity-through-2017/
---

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- Are women over-diagnosed with mental illness because of psychiatry's gender bias?

Study, 2017

# Are women over-diagnosed with mental illness because of psychiatry's gender bias?

The author argues yes. Women, particularly those who are working-class, Black, older, or lesbian, are at higher risk of over-diagnosis. PMS and PMDD are used as examples of how normal female biology gets labeled as mental illness.

 Early or limited evidence

Not applicable - this is a critical analysis, not a study of people

## What they did

This is a critical analysis of how psychiatry has historically treated women. The author examines how psychiatric experts have pathologized normal female behavior and argues that financial interests and power dynamics play a role in diagnosis and treatment.

## What they found

Women have not been more mad than men but have been misdiagnosed and mistreated. PMS and PMDD are examples of normal changes in mood and behavior during the menstrual cycle being redefined as psychiatric disorders. Labeling these normal processes as mental illness affects how women's behavior is subsequently judged. After the 1960s-1970s, hysteria became less common as a diagnosis, but similar issues persist with PMDD and PMS.

## What it means for you

This argues that PMS and PMDD may not be mental illnesses but rather normal female biology that has been pathologized by psychiatry. The author raises questions about whether psychiatric diagnosis serves women's interests or experts' financial interests. This is a critical theoretical argument rather than an empirical study.

## About the study

Original title A critical feminist analysis of madness : pathologising femininity through psychiatric discourse Authors Jane Maria Ussher Year 2017 Study design Study What was tested Not applicable - critical theoretical analysis Read the paper [doi.org/10.4324/9781315399584.ch8](https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315399584.ch8)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Case-control study, 2026

Do women with PMS handle emotions differently at different times of the cycle?

Cohort study, 2023

Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis?

Survey study, 2011

What premenstrual symptoms do women experience around the world and how much do they affect daily life?

Randomised trial, 2000

How should PMDD be diagnosed and treated?

Interview study, 2026

What prevents women from seeking doctor's help for PMS?

Study, 2026

What do women in Lahore know about PMDD and do they seek help for it?

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