“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:
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:
- Anxiety or irritability
Feelings 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 Disorders: Not the Same the Anxiety and Depression Association of America elaborate on:
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”.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:

- “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 Symptoms of Menopause: Mood & Emotional Health the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) elaborate on:
Women who have a history of depression or premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be more likely to develop depression during this time”.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:

In Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know – 4. You Can Get Help for Depression the NIMH note:
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:
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:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Depression In 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.New or Updated
- Hormones and Brain Health | Dr Louise Newson [June 2024]
- Illuminating the Disease Burden of Chronic Forms of Depression In Women [10 May 2025]
- Is Hormone Therapy A Key Strategy In Treating Menopausal Depression? [Video] [17 May 2024]
- Mental Health Awareness Week [12-18 May 2025, United Kingdom]
- Mental Health Month [May, United States]
- Mental Health and Self-Care: A Comprehensive Guide [29 November 2024]
- 4 Benefits of Sleep Meditation and How To Do It
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America
- Anxiety vs. Depression: Which Do I Have (or Is It Both)?
- Anxietyuk.org.uk
- Beyondblue.org.au
- Boost Your Mood With Mind-Nourishing Food
- Can Menopause Cause Depression?
- Caring for Your Mental Health
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Menopause
- Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression
- Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
- Depression In Women
- Depression In Women
- Depression In Women: 4 Things To Know
- Depression Screening
- Depression [+ Video]
- Depression [+ Video]
- Depression: Symptoms of Depression [+ Video]
- Depressioncenter.org: Depression Toolkit
- Depressive Disorder (Depression)
Exercise for Depression
- Exercising Your Way Out of Depression
- Find Help: Finding Help Is the Key To Taking Charge and Moving Forward
- Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
- Find An AMS Member [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
- Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
- FindTreatment.gov [United States]
- Finding A Mental Health Professional
- Finding the Right Mental Health Professional for You
- Getting Help [United Kingdom]
- HRT Questions Answered
- Headstogether.org.uk [Heads Together, United Kingdom]
- Headtohealth.gov.au: Head To Health [Australia]
- Help for Mental Illnesses [United States]
- Help From Health Professionals
- Her Centre Australia
- Hormones and Brain Health | Dr Louise Newson
- How Do I Know If I Have A Mental Health Problem?
- How Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mental Health
- How Right Now
- How Right Now: Sadness and Depression
- How Right Now: Tips To Improve Your Emotional Well-Being
- How To Choose the Best Mental Health App for You
- How To Improve Mental Health
- How To Look After Your Mental Health Using Exercise
- How To Support Someone With A Mental Health Problem
- I Forgot To Ask the Doctor – E17: Are Anxiety & Depression Destroying Your Life?
- Illuminating the Disease Burden of Chronic Forms of Depression In Women
- Is Hormone Therapy A Key Strategy In Treating Menopausal Depression? [Video]
- Jayashri Kulkarni: Our Hormones and Our Minds [Podcast]
- Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Menopause and Your Mental Wellbeing [+ Video: Menopause Only Affects You Physically!]
- Low Mood, Sadness and Depression [+ Audio: Low Mood and Depression]
- Mastering Midlife Mood Changes with Marlene Freeman, MD
- Menopause Depression
- Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
- Menopause and Mental Health
- Mental Health
- Mental Health Awareness Week [12-18 May 2025, United Kingdom]
- Mental Health Month [May 2025]
- Mental Health and Self-Care: A Comprehensive Guide
Mental Health: Mental Health Self Help Guides
- Mentalhealth.org.uk
- Mentalhealthatwork.org.uk [Mental Health At Work, United Kingdom]
- Mhanational.org [Mental Health America]
- Mood and the Menopause
- Moodgym.com.au
- Mycompass.org.au
- Nami.org [National Alliance on Mental Illness, United States]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Depression
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Herbs At A Glance
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Valerian
- National Institute of Mental Health: Depression
- Nervous Breakdown: What Does It Mean?
- PMD Awareness Month [April 2025]
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B6
- Probiotics May Help Boost Mood and Cognitive Function
- Samhsa.gov [Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States]
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: More Than Feeling Sad
- Self-Help Tool: Menopause and Mental Wellbeing
- Should You Try An L-Tyrosine Supplement? A Look at Its Benefits and Side Effects
- Sleep, Food, Exercise, Stress: Why Working on One of These Can Improve the Others
- Talk With Your Doctor About Depression
- Top Tips To Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
- Types of Depression
- Understand the Facts: Understanding the Facts of Anxiety Disorders and Depression Is the First Step
- What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
- What Is Depression?
- Women and Depression
- World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
World Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women – The 5 Ws of Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- 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: 07 May 2025
- Depressive Disorder (Depression): Overview. 31 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 07 May 2025
- Depressive Disorder (Depression): Key Facts. 31 March 2023. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression Accessed: 07 May 2025
- 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: 07 May 2025
- Depression. This Page was Updated: 31 March 2025. Anxiety and Depression Association of America https://www.adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression Accessed: 07 May 2025
- 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: 07 May 2025
- Symptoms of Menopause: Mood and Emotional Health. Last Updated: 06 May 2025 | Last Reviewed: 23 April 2025. Jean Hailes https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/menopause/menopause-symptoms#mood-and-emotional-health Accessed: 07 May 2025
- 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: 07 May 2025
- 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: 07 May 2025
- 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: 07 May 2025
- 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: 07 May 2025