Depression Learning

Female Depression Overview

Clinical depression is a serious illness that affects women 2 to 1 more than men. It is believed that hormones have a big impact on female depression. The female hormone, estrogen, causes changes to take place in the female body at puberty and at the time when the woman is going through her change of life years. Because so many changes are taking place within the female body through life, many girls and women experience episodes of depression.

Clinical depression is characterized by two weeks or more of being in a depressed state. Female depression can be directly or indirectly related to one’s body chemistry, culture, and situation. For instance, culture might be relative to depression, if the woman’s culture is oppressive to women. A girl’s or woman’s depression can be affected by their situation. For instance, a girl who is being bullied at school repeatedly may suffer from anxiety and depression. The girl may go to any extreme to avoid going to school. A woman may be in an abusive relationship or marriage. The woman could become depressed to the point where she can no longer think for herself. Many women will stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid to leave. The toxic relationship may be familiar, and more acceptable than the fear of the unknown, even if it means putting her safety first.

Female depression can also be linked to a woman’s menstrual cycles. If you have uncomfortable menstrual cycles you may deal with breast tenderness, abdominal bloating, pelvic pain, anxiety, irritability, headache, moodiness, and crying spells. You may also feel anxious for no reason. Besides feeling bad in the body, women with PMS often become irritated and lash out at family and friends with little provocation. These changes in moods can cause short-lived depression that fades during or after the completion of the menstrual cycle. It is believed that the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, interfere with the brain biochemistry, which may help to induce mood changes and depression.

Pregnancy is another factor which influences female depression. During pregnancy the woman’s body and biochemistry is going through significant changes. Many pregnant women go through dramatic changes in moods. Pregnant women who worry a lot about the pregnancy may suffer from depression. Pregnant women who have poor family support often feel depressed. Research supports the belief that familial, environmental and situational factors are directly related to depression in women.

There are many possible causes of depression in females. Many women have to cope with relationship problems. They have to cope with divorce, and all the stresses that come with the end of a marriage or partnership. Women who have had previous episodes of depression are more likely to become depressed. Women have so much more to deal with than men do, in the areas of body changes related to hormones disrupting brain biochemistry. Women are flooded with hormones during pregnancy and afterwards. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is another factor, which causes depression, and may also require psychiatric help. Females who are depressed for longer than 2 weeks should consult with their physician. Women with depression severe enough to interfere with their work, relationships, and family life should seek professional help and treatment.

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