Is it true that women are more susceptible to depression than are men?
Unfortunately, yes. In any one-year period up to 12% of women in the United States – more than 12 million – suffer some form of depression. In fact, women are about twice as likely as men to experience a major depressive disorder during their lifetime. 1, 2
More women than men suffer from depression for a variety of reasons, including genetics, hormonal, psychological and social factors.
Genetic risk is an important factor for everyone suffering from depression – both women and men. Experts agree that families with a history of depression are genetically predisposed to depressive disorders in subsequent generations.
The recent discovery of 19 locations on the human chromosome where depression-related genes reside is a promising step in the process of narrowing-down the precise gene related to depression. 3 With additional chromosome research, more effective strategies for recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of depression can be developed.
Links between mood, the menstrual cycle and reproduction, and between higher rates of depression for women after puberty, give strong support to the belief that sex hormones also play a significant role. 4As many as 75% of women experience some premenstrual emotional and behavioral symptoms.5 Moreover, depressive symptoms and syndromes are closely associated with times when a woman's body is going through considerable change – such as the premenstrual period, postpartum period, and the start of menopause.
Seriously adverse life events are also strongly linked to the onset of depression in general, and women in particular. Studies show that over 80% of the cases of major depression were preceded by a seriously adverse life event. 6
Things such as childhood sexual abuse, 7 adult sexual assault, domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical illness 8have all been repeatedly linked to higher rates of depression in women. Furthermore, the impact on victims of non-fatal intimate assault falls almost exclusively on women, who make up more than 85% of the victim population. 9
No matter what the underlying cause of depressive disorders, it is necessary to recognize them as soon as possible. In order to do that, you have to be aware of the symptoms of depressive disorders, which include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue, or being “slowed down”
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Trouble sleeping, over-sleeping, or early-morning awakening
- Appetite or weight changes
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Restlessness or irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive disorders, or chronic pain, that don't seem to be responding to treatment
Anyone suffering from at least five of these symptoms for longer than two weeks meets the definition of being depressed, and further assessment, diagnosis, and treatment by a behavioral health professional is the necessary next step.
The earlier depression is recognized and diagnosed, the better the chances for recovery. Treatment usually consists of a combination of therapy and medication. While the results will vary for each individual – just like the symptoms and severity of depression vary for each person – treatment has been shown to be highly effective: more than 80% of those seeking treatment return to the same level of health enjoyed prior to the onset of depression. 10
Suicide is also closely associated with depression. In the U.S., more than four times as many men as women commit suicide, but women make more suicide attempts during their lives. 11If depression is left unrecognized and untreated, it may not only destroy the person suffering, but the lives of other loved ones – inside and outside the family – as well.
1 Kessler, R.C., McGonagle, K.A., Nelson, C.B., Hughes, M., Swartz, M.S., & Blazer, D.G. (1993). Sex and depression in the National Comorbidity Survey I: Lifetime prevalence, chronicity and recurrence. . Journal of Affective Disorders , 29, 85-96.
2 Weissman, M.M., Leap, P.J., Bruce, M.L., & Florio, L. (1988). The epidemiology of dysthymia in five communities: Rates, risks, comorbidity, and treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry . 145(7), 815-819.
3 Depression: Genes for depression play role in mood disorders, shorter lifespan. (July 21, 2003 ). Mental Health Weekly Digest ; based on Univ. of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Study as reported in the July 2, 2003 issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
4 Epperson, C.N., Wisner, K.L., Yamamto, B. (1999). Gonadal steroids in the treatment of mood disorders. Psychosomatic Medicine , 61, 676-697.
5 Johnson, S.R. (1987). The epidemiology and social impact of premenstrual symptoms. Clinical Obstetric Gynecology , 20, 367-376.
6 Kendler, K.S., Neale, M.C., Kessler, R.C., Heath, A.C. & Eaves, L.J. (1993). The lifetime history of major depression in women. Reliability of diagnosis and heritability. Archives of General Psychiatry , 50, 863-870.
7 Weiss, E.L., Longhurst, J.G., & Mazure, C.M. (1999). Childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor for depression in women: Psychosocial and neurobiological correlates. American Journal of Psychiatry , 156, 816-828.
8 Scholle, S.H., Rost, K.M., & Golding, J.M. (1998). Physical abuse among depressed women. Journal of General Internal Medicine , 13, 607-613.
9 Greenfield, L.A., Rand, M.R., & Craven, D. (1998). Violence by intimates: Analysis of data on crimes by current or former spouses, boyfriends, and girlfriends. (NCH-167237). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Justice.
10 National Institute of Mental Health data
11 Center for Disease Control mortality statistics, 2000.
