Depression is assorted as a mood disorder. It may describe the feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interferes with individual everyday activity. So why is depression more prevalent in women? Let’s look at it.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. Depression can occur at any age. Hormonal changes, biological factors, inherited traits, and personal life circumstances and experiences are associated with a higher risk of depression.
Here’s some biological contribution of women getting depression:
- Premenstrual Problems (PMS)
Symptoms such as abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, headache, unease, irritability, and feeling the blues are mild and short-lived for most women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Nevertheless, a small number of females have severe and disabling symptoms that disrupt their studies, jobs, relationships, or other areas of their lives.
The precise relationship between depression and PMS, however, remains unknown. Cyclical changes in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones can disrupt the role of mood-controlled brain chemicals such as serotonin. It seems that inherited traits, life experiences, and other factors play a part.
- Pregnancy
Women will have dramatic hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, and these can affect mood. Other issues also may grow the risk of developing depression during pregnancy or during attempts to become pregnant, such as:
- Lifestyle or work changes or other life stressors
- Relationship problems
- Lack of social support
- Unintended or unwanted pregnancy
- Miscarriage
- Infertility
- Stopping use of antidepressant medications
- Post-partum Depression
According to The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) reported post-partum depression is a severe mental illness that involves the brain and affects your behavior and physical health.
Many new mothers find themselves sad, angry, irritable, and experience crying spells soon after giving birth. These feelings sometimes called the baby blues, which are normal and generally subside within a week or two. The more severe or long-lasting depressed feelings may specify post-partum depression, below are the signs and symptoms include:
- Crying more often than usual
- Low self-esteem or feeling like you are a bad mum
- Trouble sleeping, even when your baby is sleeping
- Problems with daily functioning
- Inability to care for your baby
- Thoughts of harming your baby
- Thoughts of suicide
Besides, according to the American Psychological Association, they propose that 10% to 15% of women may experience a major depressive episode within three months after giving birth.
It can be related to:
- Major hormonal fluctuations that influence mood
- The responsibility of caring for a newborn
- Predisposition to mood and anxiety disorders
- Pregnancy and birth complications
- Breastfeeding problems
- Infant complications or special needs
- Poor social support
Furthermore, there are non-biological circumstances that women having depression which includes:
- Role Overload
Women often are the second head of the family have to work outside the home and still manipulate home responsibilities. Many women struggle with single parenthood problems, such as working several jobs to meet ends. Besides, women may also take care of their children when taking care of sick or older family members as well.
5.Sexual or physical abuse
At some point in their life, women who were mentally, physically, or sexually abused as kids or adults are more likely than someone who was not abused to experience depression. Thus, women are more likely to suffer sexual abuse than men.
Women are about twice as likely as men to suffer from depression but depression is treatable and there are many ways we can do to make them feel better. And most importantly, is to let them know that they are not alone.
Written By:
Ng Kai Wen
BSc.(Hons). Food Science with Nutrition
UCSI University
Reviewed By:
Jasmine Lim
Love Earth Organic Nutritionist
Bachelor of Science Degree in
Dietetics (major) & Food Science (minor)
Iowa State University, USA
