Depression in Women: Common but treatable
by Galen Buckwalter | August 14th, 2008The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has released a fascinating new brochure called Women and Depression. It provides a wealth of information on depression and its treatments.
Major depression is more than “feeling down.” It is not the typical anguish felt after a recent loss or a death in the family. It is more than feeling extremely stressed in response to financial or work-related problems. Major depression is when these normal feelings become more intense and they last so long that they affect one’s daily functioning.
About 1 in 10 adults in America experience depression each year. The more troublesome statistic is that about two-thirds of people experiencing major depression don’t get treatment.
Some of the interesting facts this brochure points out include:
- Women are twice as likely to experience depression regardless of race or ethnic background.
- Depression tends to run in families; however, not everyone with a family history develops depression.
- Sexual and physical abuse are risk factors for depression among women.
- Low economic status contributes to depression among women.
- Boys and girls have the same rates of depression until they reach adolescence. Between the ages of 11 and 13 the rate rises sharply for women.
- Elderly women are at greater risk for depression than elderly men.
- Menopause in general isn’t associated with an increased risk of depression.
The good news is that major depression is highly responsive to treatment. People tend to respond most effectively to a combination of medications and psychotherapy. Increasing evidence also shows that aerobic exercise is an effective intervention for mild to moderate depression.
While the rates of depression are troublesome, it seems that many women do not realize the benefits or effectiveness of treatment. If you ever find that you feel so down that you just can’t function the way you normally do, talk to your physician.
Further Reading:
The entire brochure provided by the National Alliance of Mental Illness can be downloaded here: http://www.nami.org/womendepression.
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August 17th, 2008 at 8:24 am
I think there are more 1 in 10 adults in America experience depression each year !!
October 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Depressions’ impact on every aspect of one’s life is not fully understood. Clinical depression,that can be lifelong, is frequently related to childhood sexual abuse…..so why are we more concerned about the predators than the innocent victims who will serve a lifelong sentence?
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:21 am
I disagree with this statement:
Menopause in general isn’t associated with an increased risk of depression.
Even though I have been mildly depressed for a long time and have intermittently tried treatment, it plummeted when I hit menopause. The lose of the dream, drive, weight gain and physical looks fading surely contributed to an even lower low. I am so sick of people not seeing and treating menopause let alone depression for what it is.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:41 am
I agree with Roxanne / 10/23/08. I believe Menopause is a BIG contributer for some women and their increase in depression! I think hormones are extremely influencial in determining moods in both men and women. I myself have had a history of depression and now that I am going through the change, I’m noticing a definite increase in my depressive thoughts and feelings. I’ve been experimenting with different hormone therapy to eliviate these symptoms. I’m still not sure what is working. Hopefully, the new birth control pill I have been given will be of help! I can relate though to any menopausal woman feeling depressed and not sure what the cause really is…….it’s a bitch, to say the least!