Understanding Depression in Women

About twice as many women as men experience depression.

UNDERSTANDING DEPRESSION SEVERAL FACTORS INCREASE A WOMAN’S RISK

By Dr. Tom Miller, Staff Writer

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder. It reveals itself through symptoms such as hopelessness, pessimism, irritability, guilt, helplessness and decreased energy or fatigue lasting at least two weeks or longer. About twice as many women as men experience depression. Several factors may increase a woman’s risk of depression. Some mood changes and depressed feelings occur with normal hormonal changes women experience, although these alone don’t cause depression. Other factors, such as personal life circumstances, can lead to a risk of depression.

Pubescence may increase some girls’ chances of developing depressive symptoms. Post-puberty depression rates are higher in females than in males. Because girls typically reach puberty before boys do, they’re more likely to develop depression at an earlier age than boys. This depression gender gap lasts until after menopause. The exact interaction between depression and premenstrual syndrome remains unclear. It’s possible cyclical changes in estrogen, progesterone and other hormones can disrupt the function of brain chemicals such as serotonin that control mood. Inherited traits, life experiences and other factors appear to play a role as well.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur that can affect mood. Many new mothers experience crying spells after giving birth or find themselves sad, angry and irritable. Postpartum

depression is a serious medical condition requiring prompt treatment. It occurs in about 12 percent of women. If you recognize feelings of depression, talk to your family physician, internist, nurse practitioner, obstetrician or gynecologist about your symptoms. He or she can refer you to a mental health professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating depression.

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