Depression

Depression in Women

Here are the facts about depression in women. In the U.S. about 15 million people experience depression each year. The majority of them are women. Unfortunately, nearly two-thirds of those women do not get the help they need.

Depression in women is very common. In fact, women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men. And as many as one out of every four women is likely to experience an episode of major depression at some point in life.

Depression is a serious disease that can be hard to understand and diagnose. Here’s what you need to know to recognize the symptoms of depression:

• Ø Craving Carbs: How To Know When It Is Depression
• Ø 9 Painful Symptoms That May Signal Depression
• Ø Postpartum Depression: Winter Baby Blues
• Ø 4 Ways to Manage Pain & Depression

What is depression?

Depression is a serious and pervasive mood disorder. It causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression can be mild to moderate with symptoms of apathy, little appetite, difficulty sleeping, low self-esteem, and low-grade fatigue. Or it can be major depression with symptoms of depressed mood most of the day, diminished interest in daily activities, weight loss or gain, insomnia or hypersomnia (oversleeping), fatigue, feelings of guilt almost daily, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

What are the symptoms of depression in women?

Symptoms of depression in women include:

Ø persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood

Ø loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex

Ø restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying

Ø feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism

Ø sleeping too much or too little, early-morning awakening

Ø appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

Ø decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"

Ø thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Ø difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

Ø persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

What are the symptoms of mania in women?

Mania is a highly elevated mood that sometimes occurs with bipolar disorder. Moods in bipolar disorder swing from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. Even though mania is an elevated mood, it is serious and needs medical assessment and treatment.

The symptoms of mania include:

Ø abnormally elevated mood

Ø irritability

Ø decreased need for sleep

Ø grandiose ideas

Ø greatly increased talking

Ø racing thoughts

Ø increased activity, including sexual activity

Ø markedly increased energy

Ø poor judgment that leads to risk-taking behavior

Ø inappropriate social behavior

Why is depression in women more common than depression in men?

Before adolescence, the rate of depression is about the same in girls and boys. However, with the onset of puberty, a girl's risk of developing depression increases dramatically to twice that of boys.

Experts believe that the increased chance of depression in women may be related to changes in hormone levels that occur throughout a woman's life. These changes are evident during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause as well as after giving birth, having a hysterectomy, or experiencing a miscarriage. In addition, the hormone fluctuations that occur with each month's menstrual cycle probably contribute to premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD -- a severe syndrome marked especially by depression, anxiety, cyclical mood shifts, and lethargy.

What increases the chances of depression in women?

According to the National Institutes of Health, factors that increase the risk of depression in women include reproductive, genetic, or other biological factors; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and personality characteristics. In addition, women juggling work with raising kids and women who are single parents suffer more stress that may trigger symptoms of depression. Other factors that could increase risk include:

Ø family history of mood disorders

Ø history of mood disorders in early reproductive years

Ø loss of a parent before age 10

Ø loss of social support system or the threat of such a loss

Ø ongoing psychological and social stress, such as loss of a job, relationship stress, separation or divorce

Ø physical or sexual abuse as a child

Ø use of certain infertility treatments

Ø use of certain oral contraceptives

Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder.

Can depression in women run in families?

Yes. Depression can run in families. When it does, it generally starts between the ages of 15 and 30. A family link to depression is much more common in women.

How does depression in women differ from depression in men?

Depression in women differs from depression in men in several ways:

Ø Depression in women may occur earlier, last longer, be more likely to reoccur, be more likely to be associated with stressful life events, and be more sensitive to seasonal changes.

Ø Women are more likely to experience guilty feelings and attempt suicide, although they actually commit suicide less often than men.

Ø Depression in women is more likely to be associated with anxiety disorders, especially panic and phobic symptoms, and eating disorders.

Ø Depressed women are less likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs.

How are PMS and PMDD related to depression in women?

As many as three out of every four menstruating women experience premenstrual syndrome or PMS. PMS is a disorder characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that fluctuate in intensity from one menstrual cycle to the next. Women in their 20s or 30s are usually affected.

About 3% to 5% of menstruating women experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD. PMDD is a severe form of PMS, marked by highly emotional and physical symptoms that usually become more severe seven to 10 days before the onset of menstruation.

In the last decade, these conditions have become recognized as important causes of discomfort and behavioral change in women. While the precise link between PMS, PMDD, and depression is still unclear, chemical changes in the brain and fluctuating hormone levels are both thought to be contributing factors.

How are PMS and PMDD treated?

Many women who suffer with depression along with PMS or PMDD find improvement through exercise or meditation. For individuals with severe symptoms, medicine, individual or group psychotherapy, or stress management may be helpful.

Does depression in women occur during pregnancy?

Pregnancy has long been viewed as a period of well-being that protected women against psychiatric disorders. But depression in women occurs almost as commonly in pregnant women as it does in those who are not pregnant. The factors which increase the risk of depression in women during pregnancy are:

Ø having a history of depression or PMDD

Ø age at time of pregnancy -- the younger you are, the higher the risk

Ø living alone

Ø limited social support

Ø marital conflict

Ø uncertainty about the pregnancy

What is the impact of depression on pregnancy?

The potential impact of depression on a pregnancy includes the following:

Ø Depression can interfere with a woman's ability to care for herself during pregnancy. She may be less able to follow medical recommendations and to sleep and eat properly.

Ø Depression can cause a woman to use substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and/or illegal drugs, which could harm the baby.

Ø Depression can make bonding with the baby difficult.

Pregnancy may have the following impact on depression in women:

Ø The stresses of pregnancy can cause depression or a recurrence or worsening of depression symptoms.

Ø Depression during pregnancy can increase the risk for having depression after delivery (called postpartum depression).

What are my options if I'm depressed during pregnancy?

Preparing for a new baby is lots of hard work. But your health should come first. Resist the urge to get everything done, cut down on your chores, and do things that will help you relax. In addition, talking about things that concern you is very important. Talk to your friends, your partner, and your family. If you ask for support, you will find you often get it.

If all else fails and you're still feeling down and anxious, consider seeking therapy. Ask your doctor or midwife for a referral to a mental health care professional.

How is depression in women treated during pregnancy?

Growing evidence suggests that many of the currently available antidepressant medicines are safe for treating depression during pregnancy, at least in terms of the potential short-term effects on the baby. Long-term effects have not been properly studied. You should discuss the possible risks and benefits with your doctor.

How is postpartum depression in women treated?

Postpartum depression, or depression following childbirth, can be treated like other forms of depression. That means using medicines and/or psychotherapy. If a woman is breastfeeding, the decision to take an antidepressant must be made with her doctor.

Does the prevalence of depression in women increase at midlife?

Perimenopause is the stage of a woman's reproductive life that begins eight to 10 years before menopause. During this time the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen. Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last one to two years of perimenopause, the decrease in estrogen accelerates. At this stage, many women experience menopausal symptoms.

Menopause is the period of time when a woman stops having her monthly period and experiences symptoms related to the lack of estrogen production. By definition, a woman is in menopause after her periods have stopped for one year. It is a normal part of aging and marks the end of a woman's reproductive years. Menopause typically occurs in a woman's late 40s to early 50s. However, women who have their ovaries surgically removed undergo "sudden" menopause.

The drop in estrogen levels during perimenopause and menopause triggers physical and emotional changes -- such as depression or anxiety and changes in memory. Like at any other point in a woman's life, there is a relationship between hormone levels and physical and emotional symptoms. Some physical changes include irregular or skipped periods, heavier or lighter periods, and hot flashes.

How can I cope with symptoms of menopause?

There are many ways you can ease menopause symptoms and maintain your health. These tips include ways to cope with mood swings, fears, and depression:

Ø Avoid tranquilizers.

Ø Eat healthfully and exercise regularly.

Ø Engage in a creative outlet or hobby that fosters a sense of achievement.

Ø Find a self-calming skill to practice -- such as yoga, meditation, or slow, deep breathing.

Ø Keep your bedroom cool to prevent night sweats and disturbed sleep.

Ø Seek emotional support from friends, family members, or a professional counselor when needed.

Ø Stay connected with your family and community and nurture your friendships.

Ø Take medicines, vitamins, and minerals as prescribed by your doctor.

Ø Take steps such as wearing loose clothing to stay cool during hot flashes.

How is depression in women treated?

There are a variety of methods used to treat depression, including medications such as antidepressants and psychotherapy. Family therapy may be helpful if family stress adds to your depression. Your mental health care provider will determine the best course of treatment for you. If you are uncertain who to call for help with depression, check out the following list from the National Institute of Mental Health:

Ø community mental health centers

Ø employee assistance programs

Ø family doctors

Ø family service/social agencies

Ø health maintenance organizations

Ø hospital psychiatry departments and outpatient clinics

Ø local medical and/or psychiatric societies

Ø mental health specialists such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, or mental health counselors

Ø private clinics and facilities

Ø state hospital outpatient clinics

Ø university or medical school affiliated programs