Depression In Women

Depression In 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 In 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

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 (NIMH) explain:

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

  • Anxiety or irritability
  • Depression In 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”.4

Anxiety

Is there an association between anxiety and depression?

In Depression: Depression and Anxiety: What’s the Difference? the Anxiety and Depression Association of America elaborate on:

“Depression and anxiety are different conditions, but many people have both.

People with depression may also feel:

  • Nervous or tense
  • Irritable
  • Unable to sleep
  • Unable to focus

Having anxiety earlier in life can make depression more likely later, but one does not directly “cause” the other”.5

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 In 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”.6

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and depression?

In Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:

“For most women, mental and emotional wellbeing improves as you get closer to your final menstrual period and in postmenopause.

Remember that menopause might be responsible for some, all or none of the changes in your mental and emotional health. Women in midlife can also have many caring, financial and work pressures. Understanding what is causing mental and emotional health changes is the first step in improving your health and wellbeing”.7

Treatment

How can depression be treated?

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 4. You Can Get Help for Depression the NIMH explain:

Depression In Women“Even the most severe depression can be treated. Common treatments are antidepressant medication, talk therapy (virtual or in person), or a combination of medication and therapy”.8

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 4. You Can Get Help for Depression the NIMH note:

“There is no “one-size-fits-all” for treatment. It may take trial and error to find the best one for you. A health care provider can explain the different options and help you choose the best treatment based on your symptoms. With help, you can feel better”.9

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”.10

In Find A Mental Health Professional: What Are Mental Health Professional Services? 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”.11

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Depression In Women?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. Antidepressants
  2. Anxiety
  3. Anxiety Disorders
  4. Anxiety and Depression Association of America
  5. Anxiety vs. Depression: Which Do I Have (or Is It Both)?
  6. Anxietyuk.org.uk
  7. Beyondblue.org.au
  8. Boost Your Mood With Mind-Nourishing Food
  9. Can Menopause Cause Depression?
  10. Can Antidepressants Cause Weight Gain? With Josh Maline, PharmD, BCPP
    Depression
  11. Caring for Your Mental Health
  12. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
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  14. Depression
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  20. Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  21. Depression In Women
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  23. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know
    Depression In Women
  24. Depression Screening
  25. Depression [+ Video]
  26. Depression [+ Video]
  27. Depression: Symptoms of Depression [+ Video]
  28. Depressioncenter.org: Depression Toolkit
  29. Depressive Disorder (Depression)
  30. Emerging Topics In Women’s Health: Minding-the Depression Gap
  31. E17: Are Anxiety & Depression Destroying Your Life?
  32. Exercising Your Way Out of Depression
  33. Find Help: Finding Help Is the Key To Taking Charge and Moving Forward
  34. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  35. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  36. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  37. FindTreatment.gov [United States]
  38. Finding A Mental Health Professional
  39. Finding the Right Mental Health Professional for You
  40. Getting Help [United Kingdom]
  41. HRT Questions Answered
  42. Headstogether.org.uk [Heads Together, United Kingdom]
  43. Help for Mental Illnesses [United States]
  44. Her Centre Australia
  45. Hormones & Mental Health: What Every Woman Needs To Know | Live With Dr Louise Newson
  46. How Do I Know If I Have A Mental Health Problem?
  47. How Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mental Health
  48. How Right Now
  49. How Right Now: Sadness and Depression
  50. How Right Now: Tips To Improve Your Emotional Well-Being
  51. How To Choose the Best Mental Health App for You
  52. How To Improve Mental Health
  53. How To Look After Your Mental Health Using Exercise
  54. How To Support Someone With A Mental Health Problem
  55. Iapmd.org [International Association for Premenstrual Disorders [IAPMD]]
    Depression In Women
  56. Illuminating the Disease Burden of Chronic Forms of Depression In Women
    Depression In Women
  57. Is Hormone Therapy A Key Strategy In Treating Menopausal Depression? [Video]
  58. Jayashri Kulkarni: Our Hormones and Our Minds [Podcast]
  59. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
  60. Menopause
  61. Menopause Depression
  62. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
  63. Menopause and Mental Health
  64. Mental Health
  65. Mental Health Awareness Week [11-17 May 2026, United Kingdom]
  66. Mental Health Month [May, United States]
    Depression In Women
  67. Mental Health and Self-Care: A Comprehensive Guide
  68. Depression In WomenMental Health: Mental Health Self Help Guides
  69. Mentalhealth.org.uk
  70. Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk [Mental Health At Work, United Kingdom]
  71. Mhanational.org [Mental Health America]
  72. Mood and the Menopause
  73. Moodgym.com.au
  74. Mycompass.org.au
  75. Nami.org [National Alliance on Mental Illness, United States]
  76. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
  77. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
  78. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
  79. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Valerian
  80. National Institute of Mental Health: Depression
  81. Nervous Breakdown: What Does It Mean?
  82. Iapmd.org [Intenrational Association Premenstrual Disorders]
    Depression In Women
  83. Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B6
  84. Rethinking Mental Health and Antidepressant Prescribing
  85. Samhsa.gov [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States]
  86. Seasonal Affective Disorder: More Than Feeling Sad
  87. Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
  88. Should You Try An L-Tyrosine Supplement? A Look at Its Benefits and Side Effects
  89. Sleep, Food, Exercise, Stress: Why Working on One of These Can Improve the Others
  90. Talk With Your Doctor About Depression
  91. The Menopause ‘Mind field’
  92. Top Tips To Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
  93. Types of Depression
  94. Understand the Facts: Understanding the Facts of Anxiety Disorders and Depression Is the First Step
  95. Understanding Situational Depression
  96. What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
  97. What Is Depression?
  98. Women and Depression

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: 11 March 2026
  2. Depressive Disorder (Depression): Overview. 29 August 2025. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 11 March 2026
  3. Depressive Disorder (Depression): Key Facts. 29 August 2025. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 11 March 2026
  4. 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: 11 March 2026
  5. Depression. This Page was Updated: 02 February 2026. Anxiety and Depression Association of America https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression Accessed: 11 March 2026
  6. 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: 11 March 2026
  7. Menopause: Menopausal Symptoms – Mental and Emotional Health. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/menopause/#section-menopausal-symptoms Accessed: 11 March 2026
  8. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 4. You Can Get Help for Depression. Revised 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml Accessed: 11 March 2026
  9. Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 4. You Can Get Help for Depression. Revised 2023. National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-in-women/index.shtml Accessed: 11 March 2026
  10. 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: 11 March 2026
  11. Find A Mental Health Professional: What Are Mental Health Professional Services? Finding the Right Professional for You. Beyondblue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/find-a-mental-health-professional Accessed: 11 March 2026
Topic Last Updated: 11 March 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 March 2026

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