Depression and Women

“Depression is not brought on by anything a woman
has or has not done, and it is not something she can
“snap out” of. Most women need treatment to feel better”.1

Umbrella

What may the Depression and Women Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Black Dog
  • Clinical Depression
  • Depression
  • Depression the Serious Clinical Illness
  • Depressive Disorder/Episode/Illness
  • Dysthymia
  • Dysthymic Disorder
  • Major Depression
  • Major Depressive Disorder/Episode/Illness
  • Minor Depression
  • Nervous Breakdown
  • Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
  • Unipolar Depression

Definition

What is depression?

DotS the definition of depression may vary. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) definition is:

“Depressive disorder (also known as depression) is a common mental disorder. It involves a depressed mood or loss of pleasure or interest in activities for long periods of time.

Depression is different from regular mood changes and feelings about everyday life. It can affect all aspects of life, including relationships with family, friends and community. It can result from or lead to problems at school and at work.

Depression can happen to anyone. People who have lived through abuse, severe losses or other stressful events are more likely to develop depression. Women are more likely to have depression than men”.2

Women

In women, how common is depression?

In Depressive Disorder (Depression): Key Facts the WHO note:

  • “More women are affected by depression than men”.3

In Women the (Australian) Beyondblue elaborate on:

“While good mental health is essential to the overall health of both men and women, women experience some mental health conditions at higher rates than men.

In fact, around 1 in 6 women in Australia will experience depression and 1 in 3 women will experience anxiety during their lifetime. Women also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders at higher rates than men”.4

Symptoms

In women, what can be symptoms of depression?

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 2. Depression Has Signs and Symptoms To Look Out for the (United States) National Institute of Mental Health explain:

“Sadness is only one part of depression. Other common symptoms include:

  • Anxiety or irritability
  • Depression and WomenFeelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or helplessness
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
  • Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
  • Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
  • Changes in sleep or appetite
  • Physical aches or pains that do not have a clear physical cause
  • Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts

These symptoms can make it hard to think, work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. Talk to a health care provider if you experience symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. Depression does not look the same for everyone; some women may experience many symptoms, and others may experience only a few”.5

Anxiety

Is there an association between anxiety and depression?

In Depression: Depression and Anxiety Disorders: Not the Same the Anxiety and Depression Association of America elaborate on:

“Depression and anxiety disorders are different, but people with depression often experience symptoms similar to those of an anxiety disorder, such as nervousness, irritability, and problems sleeping and concentrating. But each disorder has its own causes and its own emotional and behavioral symptoms.

Many people who develop depression have a history of an anxiety disorder earlier in life. There is no evidence one disorder causes the other, but there is clear evidence that many people suffer from both disorders”.6

Perimenopause

Is there an association between perimenopause and depression?

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women the NIMH note:


Depression and Women

  • “Perimenopausal depression affects some women during the transition to menopause. Whereas abnormal periods, problems sleeping, mood swings, and hot flashes are common during the menopause transition, more extreme feelings of irritability, anxiety, sadness, or loss of enjoyment may be signs of depression”.7

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and depression?

In Symptoms of Menopause: Mood & Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“Research suggests that women are more likely to feel depressed during the menopause transition.

Women who have a history of depression or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be more likely to develop depression during this time”.8

Treatment

How can depression be treated?

In Depression: How Is Depression Treated? the NIMH elaborate on:


Depression and Women
“Depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. Depression is usually treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two”.9

In Depression: Treatment and Therapies the NIMH also include:

“Quick Tip: No two people are affected the same way by depression, and there is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment. Finding the treatment that works best for you may take trial and error”.10

Online Resources, Programs, Apps and e-Therapies

Are depression online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies available?

Depending on your Country, depression online resources, programs,  Apps and e-therapies may be available.

Your health care provider or local community health center may know of your Country’s recommended depression online resources, programs, Apps and e-therapies, similar to the (Australian) Government Department of Health and Aged Care thiswayup.org.au: Therapy on Demand

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have depression?

If you think you have depression, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this urgently.

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 1. Depression Is A Medical Condition the NIMH explain:

“Depression is not brought on by anything a woman has or has not done, and it is not something she can “snap out” of. Most women need treatment to feel better”.11

In Find A Mental Health Professional: Finding the Right Professional for You the (Australian) Beyondblue note:

“It’s important to find someone you feel comfortable with. While some people find a practitioner and treatment that works for them first time, for others it can take a few tries. The main thing is to persevere – try not to let one bad experience put you off getting support”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Depression and Women?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Depression and Women?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  6. Anxietyuk.org.uk
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  8. Beyondblue.org.au
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  71. Mycompass.org.au
  72. Nami.org [National Alliance on Mental Illness, United States]
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  100. Why Depression In Women Is So Misunderstood

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 1. Depression Is A Medical Condition. Revised 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml#pub3 Accessed: 31 January 2024
  2. Depressive Disorder (Depression): Overview. 31 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 31 January 2024
  3. Depressive Disorder (Depression): Key Facts. 31 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 31 January 2024
  4. Women. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/who-does-it-affect/women Accessed: 25 August 2023
  5. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 2. Depression Has Signs and Symptoms To Look Out for. Revised 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml#pub3 Accessed: 31 January 2024
  6. Depression. This Page was Updated: 22 January 2024. Anxiety and Depression Association of America https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression Accessed: 31 January 2024
  7. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 3. Certain Types of Depression Are Unique To Women. Revised 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml Accessed: 31 January 2024
  8. Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 19 January 2024 | Last Reviewed: 19 August 2022. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#mood-and-emotional-health Accessed: 31 January 2024
  9. Depression: Treatment and Therapies. Last Reviewed: September 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145399 Accessed: 31 January 2024
  10. Depression: Treatment and Therapies. Last Reviewed: September 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml#part_145399 Accessed: 31 January 2024
  11. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 1. Depression Is A Medical Condition. Revised 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml#pub1 Accessed: 31 January 2024
  12. Find A Mental Health Professional: Finding the Right Professional for You. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-mental-health-professional Accessed: 31 January 2024
Topic Last Updated: 02 August 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 31 January 2024

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