DEPRESSION

Depression

o Depression is a medical illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself, and the way you think about things.

o It is different from feeling "blue" or down for a few hours or a couple of days. It is not a condition that can be willed or wished away.

Depression is not "one size fits all," particularly when it comes to the genders. Not only are women more prone to depression than men, but the causes of female depression and even the pattern of symptoms are often different. Many factors contribute to the unique picture of depression in women—from reproductive hormones to social pressures to the female response to stress. Learning about these factors can help you minimize your risk of depression and treat it more effectively.

Depression

Understanding depression in women

Depression is a serious condition that can impact every area of your life.

It can affect your social life relationships career sense of self-worth and purpose

And for women in particular, depression is common. In fact, according

to the National Mental Health Association, about one in every eight

women will develop depression at some point during her lifetime.

Symptoms of Depression

Vary from person to person

2 key signs are loss of interest in things you like to do and sadness or irritability

Signs and symptoms of depression in women

Additional Signs include: Changes in feelings which may include:

Feeling emptyInability to enjoy anythingHopelessnessLoss of sexual desireLoss of warm feelings for family or friendsFeelings of self blame or guiltLoss of self esteemInexplicable crying spells, sadness or

irritability

Changes in behavior and attitude

These may include:]General slowing downNeglect of responsibilities and appearancePoor memoryInability to concentrateSuicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviorsDifficulty making decisions

]

Physical Complaints These may include:

Sleep disturbances such as early morning waking, sleeping too much or insomnia

Lack of energyLoss of appetiteWeight loss or gainUnexplained headaches or

backachesStomachaches, indigestion or

changes in bowl habits

Differences between male and female depression

Although the signs and symptoms of depression are the same for both men and women, women tend to experience certain symptoms more often than men.

Example: seasonal affective disorder—depression in the winter months due to lower levels of sunlight—is more common in women. Also, women are more likely to experience the symptoms of atypical depression.

In atypical depression, rather than sleeping less, eating less, and losing weight, the opposite is seen:

Sleeping excessively eating more (especially

carbohydrates) and gaining weight.

Feelings of guilt associated with depression are also more prevalent and pronounced in women. Women

Differences between male and female depression

Differences between male and female depression

Women tend to: 

Blame themselves Feel sad, apathetic, and worthless Feel anxious and scared Avoid conflicts at all costs Feel slowed down and nervous Have trouble setting boundaries Find it easy to talk about self-doubt and despair Use food, friends, and "love" to self-medicate

 

Differences between male and female depression

Men tend to:

Blame others Feel angry, irritable, and ego

inflated Feel suspicious and guarded Create conflicts Feel restless and agitated Need to feel in control at all

costs Find it “weak” to admit self-

doubt or despair Use alcohol, TV, sports, and sex

to self-medicate

Causes of depression in women

Women are about twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. This two-to-one difference persists across racial, ethnic, and economic divides. In fact, this gender difference in rates of depression is found in most countries around the world. There are a number of theories that attempt to explain the higher incidence of depression in women. Many factors have been implicated, including biological, psychological, and social factors.

Different kinds of depression include:

Major depressive disorder. Also called major depression, this is a combination of symptoms that hurt a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy hobbies.

Dysthymic (diss-TIME-ic) disorder. Also called dysthymia, this kind of depression lasts for a long time (two years or longer). The symptoms are less severe than major depression but can prevent you from living normally or feeling well.

Some kinds of depression show slightly different symptoms than those described above. Some may start after a particular event. However, not all scientists agree on how to label and define these forms of depression. They include:

Psychotic depression, which occurs when a severe depressive illness happens with some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.

Postpartum depression, which is diagnosed if a new mother has a major depressive episode within one month after delivery.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight.

o A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

o Another type of depressive disorder is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual.

Biological and hormonal causes of depression

in women

Premenstrual problems

Postpartum depression

Pregnancy and infertility

Perimenopause and menopause

Premenstrual problems

Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause the familiar symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), such as bloating, irritability, fatigue, and emotional reactivity.

For many women, PMS is mild. But forsome women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt their lives and adiagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is made.

For most women, these premenstrual symptoms are uncomfortable but notdisabling. But for up to one out of ten women, symptoms are so distressing and disabling that they warrant a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMDD is characterized by severe depression, irritability, and other mood disturbances. Symptoms begin about 10 to 14 days before your period and improve within a few days of its start.

Symptoms of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Feelings of sadness or hopelessnessFeelings of tension or anxietyPanic attacksMood swings and tearfulnessPersistent irritability or angerDisinterest in daily activities and relationshipsTrouble concentratingFatigue or low energyFood cravings or binge eatingSleep disturbancesFeeling out of controlPhysical symptoms (bloating, breast tenderness, headaches,muscle pain)

Pregnancy and infertility

The many hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can

contribute to depression, particularly in women already at high risk.

Other issues relating to pregnancy such as miscarriage, unwanted

pregnancy, and infertility can also play a role in depression.

Postpartum depression Many new mothers experience the “babyblues.” This is a normal reaction that tendsto subside within a few weeks.However, some women experience severe,lasting depression.This condition is known as postpartumdepression. Postpartum depression is

believedto be influenced, at least in part, byhormonal fluctuations.

Levels of thyroid hormones may also drop after giving birth. The thyroid

is a small gland in the neck that helps regulate how your body uses and

Stores energy from food. Low levels of thyroid hormones can cause symptoms ofdepression. A simple blood test can tell if this condition is causing

yoursymptoms. If so, your doctor can prescribe thyroid medicine.

Other factors may play a role in postpartum depression.

One may feel: Tired after delivery Tired from a lack of sleep or broken sleep Overwhelmed with a new baby Doubts about your ability to be a good mother Stress from changes in work and home routines An unrealistic need to be a perfect mom Loss of who you were before having the baby Less attractive A lack of free time

Perimenopause and menopause

Women may be at increased risk for depression during

perimenopause, the stage leading to menopause when

reproductive hormones rapidly fluctuate. Women with past

histories of depression are at an increased risk of depression

During menopause as well.

Psychological causes of depression in women

Focusing on and rehashing negative feelings  - Women are more likely to ruminate when they are depressed. This includes crying to relieve emotional tension, trying to figure out why you’re depressed, and talking to your friends about your depression. However, rumination has been found to maintain depression and even make it worse.

Men, on the other hand, tend to distract themselves when they are depressed. Unlike rumination, distraction can reduce depression.Stress - Some studies show that women are more likely than men to develop depression under lower levels of stress. Furthermore, the female physiological response to stress is different.

Women produce more stress hormones than men do,

and the female sex hormone prevents the stresshormone system from turning itself off as it

does inmen.

Body image issues The gender difference in depression begins inadolescence. The emergence of sex differencesduring puberty likely plays a role. Some

researcherspoint to body dissatisfaction, which increases in

girlsduring the sexual development of puberty.

Treating depression in women

For the most part, women suffering from depression receive the same types of treatment as everyone else. The main treatment approaches are psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy. However, there are some special treatment considerations for depression in women.

Depression, hormones, and the reproductive cycleHormone fluctuations related to the reproductive cycle can have a profound influence on a woman’s mood. In light of this possibility, you and your doctor should always look for connections between your depressive symptoms and the female reproductive cycle.

How depression treatment is different for women

Specific aspects of treatment must often be modified for women. Because of female biological differences, women should generally be started on lower doses of antidepressants than men. Women are also more likely to experience side effects, so any medication use should be closely monitored.

Finally, women are more likely than men to require simultaneous treatment for other conditions such as anxiety disorders and eating disorders.

If you or someone you know has symptoms of depression…

Take Action!

References

1. Framingham, J. (2006). Types of Depression Unique to Women. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 1, 2013, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/types-of-depression-unique-to-women/