Depression In Women
Women Are Twice as Likely to Develop Depression
The Centers for Disease Control estimates that approximately 20% of Americans will experience depression sometime in their lifetime. Women are twice more likely to develop depression compared to men. Hence, 1 in 10 women experiences depression throughout their lifetime.
What is Depression?
Depression is marked by a low mood, sadness, irritability, hopelessness, loss of interest in activities that were once experienced as enjoyable, sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, hypersomnia), appetite changes (either eating more or less than usual), guilt, worthlessness, and fatigue.
Typically, depression can cause difficulty concentrating, staying motivated, and performing essential tasks. Living with depression can be distressing for the person suffering from it.
Signs of Depression
Depression may look different for everyone. Not everybody experiences the same symptoms, and some may struggle more than others. Severity can also change over time. Noticing the signs of depression can help the individual seek help in a timely manner.
Behaviors
These are some of the behaviors that are typically associated with depression
Increasing the usage of alcohol and substances
Not engaging in fun activities
Socially withdrawing from friends and family
Having difficulty focusing and completing tasks
Eating more or less than usual
Sleeping more or less than usual
Crying excessively
Feelings
Depression can often result in these feelings. This list is not exhausted.
Low self-esteem
Unhappy
Irritable
Lack of motivation and interest
Indecisive
Worthless
Self-doubt
Hopeless
Anxious
Ruminating
Suicidal
Physical symptoms
Loss or increase in appetite
Weight loss or gain
Fatigue, tired most of the time
Digestive problem
Irregular bowel schedule
What Causes Depression in Women?
A variety of factors contribute to the development of depression in women. Depressive moods are common in women due to hormonal changes throughout the reproductive cycle and life circumstances.
Puberty
The most potent symptoms of depression that affect many girls during puberty are fluctuating hormones levels, conflicts with parents, and increased pressure to achieve in school, sports, or other areas of life can lead to depression. After puberty, depression rates are higher in female than male teenagers.
Premenstrual Problems
Research has shown that women with severe Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) are more likely to experience depression. Premenstrual Syndrome or PMS is a type of depression women experience before the start of their menstrual cycle. Stomach bloating, breast tenderness, body ache, anxiety, mood swings, and feeling down are all symptoms of PMS. Typically, these symptoms last for a few days.
However, a small percentage of women report severe and disabling symptoms that disrupt their lives. PMS can then progress to Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a type of depression that may require medical intervention.
Given the complexity of women’s reproductive health, targeted therapies for each woman's unique physiological composition are becoming necessary for treating hormone-related mood disorders like Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).
Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression
Pregnancy and motherhood often come with great responsibility and mental stress. During pregnancy and postpartum, women are vulnerable to developing depression or experiencing a relapse of depression. Studies have found that about 1 in 8 women reports postpartum depression and can be as high as 1 in 5 women in some states and among certain racial and ethnic groups of women.
Mothers may experience sadness or feel inadequate when caring for their newborns. This symptom is called “baby blues.” However, baby blues are typically temporary and go away within weeks. Postpartum depression, on the other hand, can be more severe or long-lasting. Mothers in this state may cry more often or have low self-esteem. They may not be able to take proper care of the child or have thoughts of harming the baby and/or themselves.
Carrying a child can be a joyful yet stressful experience for many mothers. Factors like-hormonal changes, infant care, anxiety, mood disorders, complications during pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding difficulties, or insufficient support can negatively impact a woman's mental health and well-being, often leading to depression.
Depression can make it harder for mothers to nurture a good relationship with their baby, as it may erode their energy and focus as a parent. This can lead to growing feelings of inadequacy as a parent, accompanied by guilt and shame.
Perimenopause and Menopause
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Hormonal changes characterize this stage, and some women may experience depression as they go through this major event. In the months or years leading up to menopause, a natural biological process called perimenopause, many women experience signs and symptoms of menopause which include poor sleep, anxiety, hot flashes, chills, weight gain, thinning hair, dry skin, and night sweats. During perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to decline. The reduction in estrogen could contribute to mood changes, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia, which are symptoms of depression.
Depression Due to Life Circumstances
Life circumstances and cultural stressors can account for the higher rates of depression in women. Although men also report these stressors, it's at a lower rate. Common factors that may result in the development of depression in women are as follows:
Social Inequities:
More women compared to men, live in poverty. Consequently, these women lack access to community resources such as health care and mental health services. These circumstances can lead to feelings of powerlessness, poor health and mental health, shame, a loss of control over one's life, and the like.
Workload:
There are many challenging aspects to being a woman in modern times; Working outside the home and taking care of children can be stressful for many women. Often, women juggle multiple responsibilities and feel overworked, or guilty for not being a “perfect mom” who dedicates all their time to her children.
Sexual or Domestic Abuse:
1 in 3 women experiences violence which often results in psychiatric disorders. Women who have been abused in childhood or later in life are more likely to experience depression.
Treatment of Depression
Depression can have deleterious effects on women, but it's treatable. Evidence-based treatment for depression includes counseling and psychopharmacological intervention (medication).
Counseling:
Also called talk therapy, involves talking with a counselor who can help the women identify the problems causing depression and develop strategies to cope with depression. Often time, counseling is sufficient in working through depression.
Psychopharmacology:
The doctor may recommend anti-depressants to reduce depressive symptoms, either as a stand-alone intervention or in combination with counseling.
Frequently Ask Questions
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The reason behind the gender gap in depression remains unclear, but researchers have proposed that the explanations could be biological, psychological, and socio-cultural.
Biological: Women are more exposed to fluctuating hormone levels, particularly during/after pregnancy, and menopause. Fluctuating hormone levels are correlated with increased risk of depression
Psychological: Women have a greater tendency to ruminate (meaning to think about things more often), blame self for distress, and be impacted by interpersonal relationships
Socio-cultural: Women encounter greater stress related to juggling career and family responsibilities. They are also more vulnerable to experiencing gender biases, discrimination, abuse, and violence – all of which put women at risk of developing depression
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Some women experience mild depression following the birth of their child, and typically resume their prior level of functioning within a few weeks. Other women are impaired by their depressive symptoms, preventing them from enjoying and taking care of their newborn child. If depression persists, continuing to impair their functioning, it is recommended that these women seek a professional counselor who can help them through this difficult time.
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Most authorities do not view anti-depressants (e.g., fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram) as addictive or habit-forming, and studies have shown that, except for tranylcypromine and amineptine, anti-depressants do not have a significant basis to cause addiction. However, it is worth noting that discontinuing anti-depressants may cause physical and emotional symptoms due tolowered levels of serotonin. These are different from the physical withdrawal from a drug. Tapering off your medication under medical supervision can help reduce these symptoms.
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You may know someone with depression. Here are some tips you can use to help your loved one to cope with depression. People with depression typically experience challenges in day-to-day activities, including work, school, social or interpersonal relationships. Others may appear unhappy and depressed without knowing the reason they feel down. Notably, children and young adolescents may display anger, irritability, and mood swings rather than depressed mood.
Here’s what you can do to support:
Let the person know what you’ve noticed and why you’re worried about them.
Remind the person that depression is a medical condition, not a personal weakness. It’s not their fault.
Encourage treatment as depression can be treated. Help connect your loved one with a medical doctor or a mental health professional, such as a licensed counselor or psychologist.
Show your willingness to help them take the first step by scheduling an appointment, perhaps drive them to the doctor’s office if needed.
Crucially, remember you’re not a mental health professional and cannot make anyone do what they don’t want to do. However, if you believe your loved one is in imminent risk of hurting self or others, contact a doctor, a hospital or emergency medical services immediately.
You’re Not Alone: HerOutcome Is Here to Help
Dealing with depression can be overwhelming and adversely impact your functioning, career, and relationships. Rest assured that you’re not alone and that there are things that you can do to get better. If you are struggling with depression, contact our therapists in New York at CWPTherapy.com
Disclaimer
The information on this page, or elsewhere on this site, is not intended to take the place of diagnosis, treatment or informed advice from a qualified mental health professional. You should not take or avoid any action without consultation with the latter.
If you would like to talk to a counselor, please click here.
References
How to fight depression: 20 things to try. (2018, September 24). Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/how-to-fight-depression#nature
Jayne, L. (2018, July 17). How to cope with a depressive episode. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322495#twelve-tips
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, February 3). Depression (major depressive disorder). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007
National Institute of Mental Health (n.d.). Depression in women: 5 things you should know. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women#part_6225