Depression: Women or Men Who is Most Affected?

According to statistics, approximately one in sixFinally, many women face the additional stresses of
women will experience depression compared withwork and home responsibilities, caring for children and
one in four men. While there are factors that canaging parents, abuse, poverty, and relationship strains.
explain this difference, not all is what is seems…It remains unclear why some women faced with
Depression is more common in women than men.enormous challenges develop depression, while others
Issues unique to women such as hormone, biologicalwith similar challenges do not.
and lifecycle factors may contribute to this statistic.So there are differences in the function of the
For example, Researchers have shown that femalewomen's bodies as well as external environmental
hormones directly affect the chemistry in the braininfluences that make their situation different from
which determines consequential moods and emotionalthat of men.
responses. Postpartum depression, a more seriousMen often experience depression differently and
condition, may be triggered by the birth of a childoften have different ways of dealing with the illness.
although the condition probably existed before.They are more likely to acknowledge being tided,
You many have heard of the "baby blues". This is airritable, losing sleep or lacking in motivation. Women
term commonly used to describe women with poston the other hand are more likely to admit to feeling
natal depression. Often this is associated with theof sad, worthless or feelings of guilt.
burden of responsibility of caring for a newborn childAdditionally, men are more likely to consume
but could be more serious. Postpartum depression, asubstances like drugs and alcohol than women. Often
more serious condition, may be triggered by the birthmen will mask their problems by avoiding social
of a child although the condition probably existedsituations and will spend more time on their careers.
before. Often with this form of depression, womenThey are also more likely to become irritable, angry,
will have experienced depressive episodes before.aggressive and abusive than women.
The birth of a child may just be a trigger.So it is clear that when we look at the factors that
PMS or premenstrual syndrome, is another form ofinfluence depression, women experience many
depression women experience and is often broughtcontributing factors that are different to men.
about by hormonal change. A more severe form ofFinally, note of caution. Some researches argue that
PMS called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD),we should be careful with the data though. Men are
can also result. This typically occurs during ovulationmore likely not to seek help for depression due to
or at the commencement of menstruation.the perceived stigma that society often attaches
Another form of depression women suffer is(e.g. being weak, unable to come etc). So the data
associated with the onset of menopause. Themay be somewhat skewed.
reasons for this are not yet clear and studies areThe statistics show a higher incidence of depression
being carried out to assess the effects of estrogenamongst women than men. There are factors linked
on the brain and how this might lead to depressiveto depression that affect women differently than
illnesses.men and this could explain the data. However, men
Many argue that women also suffer additional stressare less likely to seek help and this could be skewing
in carrying out their role in the home. This mightthe numbers.
include such things as managing the householdLearn more about depression by visiting this blog or
budget, raising children, preparing meals, cleaning thefind depression help in this eBook by Damian Mason.
house, dealing with relationship issues and more. InIt contains information that could help you conquer
addition to this, an increasing number of women aredepression without drugs.
also holding down a job.