Gender Differences Between Depression And Women

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Depression and Women Within the field of psychology, depression is primarily characterized by a persistent low mood, including sadness, irritability, and/or limited emotional range. Other symptoms of depression can include anhedonia (i.e., loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities); changes in appetite, sleep, or motor activity; or fatigue or energy loss. Psychological effects of depression include feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and/or hopelessness; suicidal ideation; or decreases in concentration. Some individuals may experience bodily aches and pains. Depressive episodes are often cyclical, with patterns of symptom remission and recurrence, although years of chronic low-grade depressed mood is possible as well. Overall, depression…show more content…
Over the years, research has indicated that females tend to have higher prevalence rates of depression. This entry will explore depression in women, including discussions of key factors in female-specific etiology, symptom presentation, and treatment of depression. The article will primarily focus on women and depression in Westernized cultures, with a brief synopsis on the importance of diversity considerations. Etiology Depression is twice as common in women than men, a finding that is mostly consistent worldwide despite potential cultural differences. Interestingly, this sex difference seems to emerge during adolescence. Ample research focus has been dedicated to understanding the underlying cause of this difference in rates of depression, but many findings have been inconclusive or produced mixed results. A single causal variable has not been identified. Instead, a combination of biological, developmental, and sociocultural aspects likely influence the development of depression in women.…show more content…
As previously discussed, the increase in depression during these phases is not due solely to changes in ovarian hormones. Instead, these changing levels of depression are likely reflective of the brain’s sensitivity to changes in hormones, through the HPA axis and serotonin networks. A number of psychosocial factors also influence onset of depressive symptoms during periods of hormone changes. For example, postpartum depression has been linked to social isolation, low social support, relational concerns, and lower levels of education. During the aging process and older adulthood, women may have health problems and other psychological concerns that increase their risk for depression. For example, having a serious physical health problem such as diabetes or mobility issues may make women more susceptible to feeling depressed about getting older and less active. Additionally, depression has been linked to later cognitive impairment and dementia in older women specifically, who are disproportionately represented in higher numbers for Alzheimer’s disease and some related diseases throughout later
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