Did you know that women are twice as likely to experience depression, yet less than 40% of research includes them? This statistic is staggering, highlighting society’s inadequate attention to women’s mental health and the complexities of their nervous systems.
Often overlooked in scientific studies, women’s experiences, particularly regarding menstrual cycles, create significant gaps in understanding their physiological, emotional, and hormonal health. This omission, influenced by societal conditioning and patriarchal suppression, leads to misdiagnosis, unanswered questions, and pervasive shame. However, there’s a growing shift towards understanding the female nervous system.
In today’s episode, Elisabeth and Jennifer are joined by Veronica Rottman, founder of Soma School and an expert in somatics and the female nervous system, to explore how the female nervous system is uniquely structured and the challenges women face because of it. Their conversation dives deep into the complex science of hormones and societal influences, uncovering how these factors contribute to shame and perfectionism among women.
They also examine the male-centric approach of mental health and medical systems, which often overlook—and even demonize—the female experience. From an early age, women are conditioned to feel shame about their bodies and emotions. However, a growing awareness is challenging these outdated norms. This shift is essential for uncovering the root causes of many mental and physical health issues that are unique to the female nervous system.
If this resonates with you and you’d like to learn more, tune in!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Veronica’s journey to healing her own nervous system through somatic practices
The history and evolution of women’s health
Understanding the multilayered and complex nature of the female nervous system
The differences between oxytocin and dopamine
An exploration of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
The role of a dysregulated oxytocin system in attachment
Why women’s mental health spaces often overlook the impact of the menstrual cycle
How the patriarchy has historically suppressed women’s emotional expression
The pathology of women’s emotions and societal perceptions
Why women experience higher levels of toxic shame
The connection between shame, perfectionism, and the development of borderline personality disorder later in life
If you would like to WATCH the episode and/or have closed captions, check out our Trauma Rewired YOUTUBE channel!
If you need access to transcripts of this episode, you can find that HERE on Apple Podcasts.
To connect with Veronica Rottman, head to her Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/wakingwomb
To check out Veronica Rottman’s work, head to her website here: https://waking-womb.com/
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