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continued:

Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap

Perimenopause and menopause

The risk of depression may also be heightened during the transition to menopause, a stage called perimenopause, when hormone levels fluctuate erratically. The depression risk also may be heightened in early menopause or after menopause, both times when estrogen levels are significantly reduced.

Most women who experience uncomfortable menopausal symptoms don't develop depression. But for women whose sleep is disrupted for long periods of time or who have a history of depression, this is a vulnerable time. Also, hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries can lead to an abrupt onset of menopause with severe symptoms, including mood changes and sometimes depression.

Life situations and culture affecting depression in women

The higher rate of depression in women isn't due to biology alone. Your life situation and cultural stressors play a role, too. Although these stressors also occur in men, it's usually at a lower rate. Factors that may add to a woman's risk include:

  • Unequal power and status. In general, women earn less money than men do. Women are much more likely to live in poverty than are men, particularly black or Hispanic women. Poverty and limited earning potential bring with them many concerns and stressors, including uncertainty about the future and less access to community and health care resources. Minority women might also face added stress from racial discrimination. These issues can make you feel as if you don't have control over your life and can contribute to feelings of negativity and low self-esteem — which all increase your risk of depression.
  • Work overload. Often women work outside the home and still handle domestic chores. Many women find themselves dealing with the challenges and stress that can accompany single parenthood, such as working multiple jobs to make ends meet. Also, women may find themselves caregivers sandwiched between generations — caring for their young children while also caring for sick or older family members. These kinds of stressors can make you more vulnerable to depression.
  • Sexual or physical abuse. Women who were emotionally, physically or sexually abused as children or adults are more likely to experience depression at some point in their lives than are those who weren't abused. Women are more likely than are men to experience sexual abuse.

Other conditions that occur with depression

Women with depression often have other mental health conditions that need treatment as well. Some conditions that commonly occur along with depression in women include:

  • Anxiety. This is the most common condition that occurs along with depression.
  • Eating disorders. There's a strong link between depression in women and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.
  • Drug or alcohol abuse. Some women with depression also have some form of substance abuse or dependence. Substance abuse can worsen depression and make it more difficult to treat.

Recognizing depression and seeking treatment

Although depression might seem overwhelming, there's effective treatment. Even severe depression often can be successfully treated. Seek help if you have any signs and symptoms of depression, such as:

  • Ongoing feelings of sadness, guilt or hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
  • Significant changes in your sleep pattern, such as falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much
  • Fatigue, or unexplained pain or other physical symptoms without an apparent cause
  • Changes in appetite leading to significant weight loss or weight gain
  • Feeling as though life isn't worth living, or having thoughts of suicide

Not sure how to get treatment? Consider turning to your primary care provider first. This may be your family doctor, an internist, a nurse practitioner, an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Your primary care provider may be able to guide your treatment. Otherwise, he or she can refer you to a mental health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness, such as a psychiatrist.

Remember, depression is both common and treatable. If you think you are depressed, don't hesitate to seek help.

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References
  1. Women and depression: Discovering hope. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/women-and-depression-discovering-hope/depression-what-every-woman-should-know.pdf. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  2. Factsheet: Depression in women. Mental Health America. http://www.nmha.org/index.cfm?objectid=C7DF952E-1372-4D20-C8A3DDCD5459D07B . Accessed July 2, 2010.
  3. Halbreich U, et al. Atypical depression, somatic depression and anxious depression in women: Are they gender-preferred phenotypes? Journal of Affective Disorders 102 (2007) 245.
  4. Zender R. Women's mental health: Depression and anxiety. Nursing Clinics of North America. 2009;44:355.
  5. Marcus SM, et al. Gender differences in depression: Findings from the STAR*D study. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2005;87:141.
  6. Deechera D, et al. From menarche to menopause: Exploring the underlying biology of depression in women experiencing hormonal changes. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008;33:3.
  7. Misri S, et al. Depression in pregnant women. Up To Date. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 2, 2010.
  8. Women's Health USA 2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://mchb.hrsa.gov/whusa_07/popchar/0204wp.htm. Accessed July 2, 2010.
MH00035 Sept. 1, 2010

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