Depression in Women: 5 Things You Should Know (2023)

FAQs

What are the 5 most important facts about depression? ›

Social Causes

Coping skills, choice of relationships, and lifestyle choices affect women differently than men. As a woman, you are more likely to develop depression from marital or relationship problems, work-life balance issues, financial troubles, and stressful life events, including the loss of a loved one.

Nearly 50% of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people between the ages of 15 and 44. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression.

Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events.

Types of major depression include melancholia, psychotic and antenatal or postnatal. You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression. Your mental health professional may diagnose you with depression if these symptoms: happen most days.

What were the major causes of the Great Depression? Among the suggested causes of the Great Depression are: the stock market crash of 1929; the collapse of world trade due to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff; government policies; bank failures and panics; and the collapse of the money supply.

What personality type tends depression? ›

People high in neuroticism (very emotionally sensitive) and introverts are two personality types more likely to experience negative thoughts research finds. In addition, being introverted is linked to spontaneously remembering more negative life events.

Factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression include: Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic.

Current evidence suggests that depression is linked to traits such as neuroticism/negative emotionality, extraversion/positive emotionality, and conscientiousness. Moreover, personality characteristics appear to contribute to the onset and course of depression through a variety of pathways.

Depression is a serious medical condition that is associated with symptoms such as melancholy, loss of pleasure, loss of energy, difficulty in concentrating, and suicidal thoughts. Depression is both a brain disorder and a state of mind.

It's a common assumption that depression affects those who aren't strong enough, also known as people with depression are weak. What's worse is when people with depression themselves blame their lack of strength for being the reason they are depressed. But the truth is that depressed people are strong, not weak.

Depression can put a heavy strain on relationships – leading to lost friendships, severed connections, and break ups or divorces. “Depression has a profound impact on not just you, but also on those who you care about and interact with. It affects the quality of life for you andthose around you,” said Dr. Chapman.

People with clinical depression often have increased levels of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters, resulting in very low levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

What is the biggest risk factor for depression? ›

Dendrites are cellular extensions found in the neurons, or nerve cells. This suggests that depression is not an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. Instead, its impact on the brain may be reversible, and the brain can heal.

What is brain fog syndrome? Brain fog is characterized by confusion, forgetfulness, and a lack of focus and mental clarity. This can be caused by overworking, lack of sleep, stress, and spending too much time on the computer.

Agitation or slowing down of movements and thoughts. Poor concentration or indecisiveness. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.

Follow the 3-3-3 rule.

Look around you and name three things you see. Then, name three sounds you hear. Finally, move three parts of your body — your ankle, fingers, or arm.

The Four Ds o en associated with mental health conditions prevalent among the elderly are: dementia, depression, delirium and delusion. Failure to di erentiate between these four conditions can have serious consequences. The incidence of depression rises with age.

Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.

Why do women suffer more from depression and stress? ›

Hormonal differences are usually cited as the major explanation. Compared to men, women experience much more fluctuation in hormone levels that are associated with symptoms of depression. In addition to premenstrual dysphoric disorder, up to 15% experience postpartum depression.

Young and Midlife Adults

The average age of onset for major depressive disorder is between 35 and 40 years of age. Onset in early adulthood may be linked with more depressive episodes, a longer duration of illness, and therefore a more difficult clinical course.

“Women's brains are wired differently, so their sleep need will be slightly greater. Women tend to multi-task—they do lots at once and are flexible, and so they use more of their actual brain than men do,” Horne says.

Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.

1. The Passive-Aggressive is the absolute worst on this list because they are the most common. They'll appear to comply with the needs of others, but will then passively resist following through. Or they might use indirect methods to express their thoughts and feelings, so their intentions are never entirely clear.

In many instances, symptoms of depression, such as feelings of unworthiness and helplessness, can translate into anger. This can be particularly difficult for people with depression to navigate, especially if feeling angry is uncharacteristic of their typical behavior.

The most prominent symptoms of MDD include a severe and persistent low mood, profound sadness, or a sense of despair. The way depression affects the brain can directly result in personality changes.

Causes of Depression Relapse

However, general triggers exist and should be looked out for as a person is being treated for depression. These triggers include: Stressful life events. Death of a loved one.

What are three behavioral changes with depression? ›

Most people with depression find their motivation drops through the floor. They slow down, speak more slowly, move about as if carrying a weight on their shoulders and dragging weights around their ankles. Even periods of mild depression show in facial expressions and gestures, both of which reduce in number.

Common symptoms of depression include: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. Feelings of irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness.

Some personality types that are prone to mental health conditions include isolated introverts, overachievers, dramatists, day dreamers, worry warts, and perfectionists. People with these personalities are at risk of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and other mental disorders.

Depression leads to more analytical thinking.

We are able to break down complex problems into smaller components. Depressed folks actually do better on certain tests than those who are not. We also do a better job solving social problems (think spouse having an affair) when depressed.

Depression is a condition characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and often worthlessness, accompanied by both physical and mental symptoms. Depression can best be described as sadness that can take over your life and impact your daily activities, causing you to not function as you normally would.

Depression is a common mental disorder. Globally, it is estimated that 5% of adults suffer from depression. Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and is a major contributor to the overall global burden of disease. More women are affected by depression than men.

Risk factors include: Personal or family history of depression. Major life changes, trauma, or stress. Certain physical illnesses and medications.

Research suggests that depression doesn't spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, and stressful life events.

What is the most popular cause of depression? ›

Difficult life events. Most people who develop depression usually describe an important and understandable life event that occurred before the depression started. The events that are most likely to 'trigger' depression are ones where self-esteem is put at risk, compromised or devalued.

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed.

Types of major depression include melancholia, psychotic and antenatal or postnatal. You may be diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe depression.

Depression creates a sensation of isolation as if you are lost in the wilderness with no direction. The final stage is acceptance, which means you have finally made peace with the reality of your mental illness.