Women And Depression, Clues On Why They Are More Susceptible

Women are 2-3 times more susceptible to achieving depression then men. We are not trying to suggest in any way that women are weaker then men.

Some of the latest studies show that men and women's biology differs in more ways than it was supposed, for instance they have different levels of estrogen, melatonin, cortisol and serotonin. Those differences are beginning to provide clues on why are women more susceptible to depression as well as the special type called Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Stress is one of the important factors in depression and also the way people respond to it. Women usually encounter emotional ailments like depression, anxiety, anorexia while men will have to deal with anger, and violent behavior, alcohol and drugs.

The depression forms encountered in women also differ according to the levels of hormone changes in her body caused by pregnancy, periods, birth and include a premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression. The latest research has improved our possibilities to understand the variety of the causes of depression and to find new ways to cure it. Women, just as men, may find that the causes for their depression are underlying and consist of a combination of genetics, trauma, stress and brain chemistry.

Treatment requires the same types of techniques for both men and women. For sexual related causes of depression, women might want to choose a therapist who is better trained in that area.

Because biology is unique in every woman, so may the depression form be. Women may encounter forms of depression that are never found in men. In a woman's body, the estrogens are responsible for more than 300 functions like menstrual cycles, heart protection and strength of the bones. The changes of estrogens level triggered by menstruation, pregnancy or menopause affect the moods and in some cases they may induce depression episodes. Sad is the fact that those episodes are not to often treated blaming the menstruation for the moodiness. Nowadays, those stereotypes should be overcame and a woman should be given the chance for a proper treatment.

  • - PMS the premenstrual syndrome can be prevented or treated to eliminate a woman's unnecessary sufferance.
  • - If treatment is offered, the rate of suicide during perimenopausal stage would decrease thus giving more women the chance of living one more third of their life.
  • - Postpartum depression affects more than half the women and it is very likely to be reencountered in future pregnancies.