Abstract
Background
One of the most significant public health issues today is the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and the overuse of psychotropic drugs. Women are suffering most from the CMD and, consequently, making more use of antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.
Objective
This study aims at making some theoretical considerations on the interrelations between CMD, gender relations, and aging.
Method
It is a theoretical reflection. An article search was conducted in SciELO and Google academic. Of the 15 articles found, 13 were included on the subject and a critical analysis was carried out.
Results
It is observed that CMD is related to living conditions and gender inequities. Older women, when they do not play social roles for which they had prepared themselves and which they have long played it, they experience symptoms of CMD. With the departure of children from home and the physical limitations resulting from the aging process, many of them find themselves without other life projects and this fact contributes to the worsening of symptoms.
Conclusion
Primary health care must include discussions of aging, gender and actions to promote mental health in their daily activities.
Keywords:
mental disorders; gender; aging; living conditions; primary health care; psychotropics