Depression and Women

Depression and Women: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Currently, the chief source of disease among females over the age of five (worldwide), has been identified as major depression, and in the "United States alone, depression directly and indirectly cost tens of billions of dollars every year" (Nydegger, 2008). According to Jack (1991), the rate of depression within the United States and most Western societies indicates that depression is twice as high for women as compared to men. The enquiry presented was, "What is it about women's inner and outer worlds that create this vulnerability to the hopelessness and pain of depression," and what treatments are available (Jack, 1991, pp.1-2)? Subsequently, McGrath, Keita, Strickland, and Russo (1990) conducted research examining the roles, characteristics and circumstances of various women to better understand why the depression rates are higher in women than those in men.

Causes of Depression in Women

The findings of research by McGrath et al. (1990) revealed five areas that placed women at a higher risk for depression over men. Firstly, there are the biological, emotional, economic, and social factors that highly influence woman and as such the need to view depression of women from a "biopsychosocial" perspective is needed. The "hormone theory" was further researched by Nydegger (2008), which confirmed that hormonal changes during puberty (premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder), pregnancy (postpartum depression), and menopause can trigger depression in women. Secondly, McGrath et al. (1990) observed that women's depression was linked to their tendency to dwell on calamitous moments as oppose to taking action, along with "...certain cognitive and personality styles, that is, avoidant, passive, dependent behavior patterns; pessimistic, negative cognitive styles" (p. xii). Likewise, Nolen-Hoeksema (1990), noted that indeed, women were more likely than men to replay their feelings and "rumination" of depressive thoughts will only result in a greater duration of depression (p. 77).

Thirdly, McGrath et al. (1990) recognized that increased rates of sexual and physical abuse among women played a major role in depression, as does the effects of posttraumatic stress syndrome. Fourthly, women in unhealthy marriages were three times as likely as men to become depressed, as marriage denotes a form of protection to women. Additionally, mothers were reported to become even more vulnerable to depression when they have young children, and with more children, depression was reported to be greater. Fifthly, "poverty is a 'pathway to depression'" and, unfortunately, women accounted for a majority of the U.S. poverty population (p. Xii).Moreover, further high risk groups that were identified as needing special attention and support, were the elderly, minority, chemically dependent, professional women, and lesbians (McGrath et al., 1990).

Symptoms and Effects of Depression in Women

According to Nydegger (2008), depressed individuals typically exhibit low self-esteem and can appear self-condemning, as they believe they do not deserve to feel good, and depression is their punishment for being worthless. Sadly, "One of the most difficult aspects of depression is that this cyclical feeling of worthlessness leads to eventually just giving up" (Nydegger, 2008, p. 4). Likewise, Jack (1991) identified this mindset in the words of this woman diagnosed with depression:

Even though I can objectively say, okay, I am above average in looks, I have been very successful with my art,