Depression In Women

Genetic, biological and environmental factors, and life stressors can trigger or exacerbate symptoms of depression, especially in women. In fact, women are twice as likely to suffer from depression in their lifetime as men.

An estimated 5% of adults worldwide suffer from depression according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

This mental health disorder permeates all areas of life including personaland professional relationships to academic endeavors, and goes well beyond typical mood fluctuations and everyday concerns.

Depression can affect anyone, but people who have experienced trauma, significant losses or high stress levels are at greater risk.

Know The Symptoms of Depression

If you are concerned that you or a loved one could be struggling with depression, it's important to know the signs of depression, which can include:

• Withdrawal from social interactions (canceling engagements, not answering calls, etc.)
• Trouble focusing on tasks
• A change in sleeping or eating habits
• Irritability or sudden mood changes
• Sudden changes in weight

“Some of the more common things are a feeling of sadness or feeling down, sometimes somewhat hopeless,” said Kimberland Anderson, MD, a family physician with Franciscan Physician Network in a recent podcast. “And then there could be certainly trouble sleeping, particularly falling asleep. Appetite can certainly be affected. Many people have a decreased appetite. It doesn't mean that, you know, having an increase in appetite does not happen. It certainly does, but more often than not, I see a decreased appetite. In addition to maybe not being as social with individuals. So certainly, those are some things that can be seen in depression.”

If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, you are not alone.  Dr. Anderson encourages you to reach out to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of depression and you are not in crisis. (If in crisis, call 988.)

“We are seeing on a daily basis people who are struggling, whether it be with depression or anxiety or other things,” she said. “So certainly it's a good place to start. We rule out things medically, to make sure there aren't other processes going on, causing symptoms. But many times it is due to stress or anxiety or depression, and we can get started with a treatment regimen with our patients.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, successfully treating depression may require therapy, medication, real-life social support (not including social media), involvement in hobbies or social activities, exercise, and a healthier diet.

Types Of Depression Affecting Women

Depression comes in many forms:

Major depression

About one in eight women can expect to develop major depression during her lifetime. The hallmark of major depression is an overwhelming feeling of sadness or a loss of interest in your usual activities. Symptoms last for at least two weeks and may impact your daily life, making going to work, school or other functions difficult.

Persistent depression

When you consistently feel low for most days over a two-year period, you may have persistent depression. People with persistent depressive disorder, or PDD, may experience fluctuating periods of mild- to moderate-depressive symptoms, disrupting their daily lives and overall well-being.

Symptoms of persistent depression may not be as intense as with major depression. They may include loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, low energy, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Although similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is more severe. This  cyclical mood disorder is characterized by severe emotional and physical symptoms in the days before menstruation. During this time, women may experience intense mood swings, irritability, sadness, anxiety and a sense of hopelessness that may affect daily functioning.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

If your winter depression  gets better during spring and summer, you may have seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Characterized by social withdrawal and increased sleep, SAD is triggered by reduced exposure to sunlight.

Perinatal Anxiety and Mood Disorders

When you have symptoms of major depression during pregnancy, it's called perinatal anxiety and mood disorder (PAMD). The condition can interfere with your ability to care for yourself and your baby.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression occurs after up to 10 percent of births. Postpartum depression typically emerges over the first few months after childbirth, but may occur at any point after delivery.

Contributors To Depression

Depression Due to a Medical Condition

Tufts Medical Center describes depressive disorder due to another medical condition as a depressive episode caused by an underlying medical condition. This condition could be a chronic illness, neurological disorder or, hormonal imbalance. It also could be related to substance abuse. The exact cause is typically unknown, however. While symptoms can be similar to those of major depressive disorder, they are specifically linked to the physiological effects of the underlying medical condition.

Hormonal Impacts

Variations in ovarian hormone levels and, particularly decreases in estrogen, may contribute to the increased prevalence of depression and anxiety in women, researchers have found.

Social Media Use

While social media is a great way to keep in touch with friends, family members and colleagues, particularly in a time of physical separation, it also comes with drawbacks. According to an article in The Nation's Health, a publication by the American Public Health Association, young people, particularly young women and teen girls who frequently use social media, are at highest risk for depression. Women are the most common users of social media networks, including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and others. But women are also twice as likely as men to suffer from depression.

A study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine says depression from social media could develop from:

• Seeing your peers posting idealized representations of themselves, fostering feelings of jealousy and low self-confidence
• Engaging in meaningless social media activities that produce feelings of wasted time and guilt
• An emerging internet addiction
• Cyberbullying or other negative interactions

Social media also can contribute to depression by increasing feelings of isolation and decreasing face-to-face interactions.

Depression Can Be Crippling

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States for people ages 15 to 44. When you're depressed, you may also be struggling with:

• An eating disorder: Research indicates a strong relationship between depression in women and eating disorders.
• Substance abuse: One out of three people with depression has issues with substance abuse or dependence.
• An unhappy marriage: People with unhappy marriages have the highest rates of depression.

“Mental health does affect quality of life,” Dr. Anderson said. “It certainly can give people a poorer quality of life by affecting various things, whether it's relationships with the individuals we work with, friends, family members. It can manifest physically where, some individuals may have headaches, some may have pain, difficulty sleeping, difficulty focusing or concentrating.”

When to Seek Professional Help

Depression is treatable if you seek medical care. Appropriate therapies may include medication, psychological counseling, and alternative strategies including meditation, massage and exercise. If you have persistent feelings of depression, talk to your primary care doctor about a depression screening and to rule out any other contributing medical factors.