Woman’s Woes 

Over 1 in 5 women in the United States in the past year have experienced a mental health condition. Common conditions are anxiety and depression, although conditions like bipolar disorder and depression affect women more than men or affect them in different ways. Mental health conditions present differently in males and females. Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. As for African-American, Hispanic, and white women, it is more than twice as common to have depression compared to Asian-American women. Depression is also more common for women whose families live below the poverty line.

When it comes to depression, there are many misconceptions. Although everyone has their down days and gets sad from time to time, depression is defined as when one feels sad, empty, or hopeless for at least 2 weeks. Depression is not something that is easily “shaken off.” Depression is commonly caused by family history, brain changes, chemistry, hormone levels, stress, medical problems, and/or pain. Depression can affect one’s motivation to go to work or school or their desire to spend time with loved ones. Not only can it affect your body, thoughts, and moods, but depression can control the way you eat, the way you view yourself, and the way you think about things and situations. 

Different forms of depression include major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and bipolar depression. Major depressive disorder ​​is a combination of symptoms that affects one’s ability to sleep, work, study, eat, or enjoy everyday activities. The dysthymic disorder usually lasts more than 2 years with less severe symptoms, but can cause one to struggle to live normally or feel well. Psychotic depression is when an individual has a severe depressive illness with some form of psychosis, such as a break from reality, hallucinations, and/or delusions. Postpartum depression is diagnosed when a mother has a major depressive episode after birth. Depression can also begin during pregnancy, which is referred to as a prenatal depression. Seasonal affective disorder occurs during winter months or seasons when the sunlight is not as present as normal. Bipolar depression is a little different, it is the depression side of bipolar disorder and requires different treatment than major depression.

Depression can be or seem overwhelming, fortunately, there are ways to treat depression. There are many resources that you may not even realize you have, such as speaking with your doctor, a nurse, a psychiatrist, a therapist, or even a social worker about your symptoms. While there are not currently any natural ways to treat depression the same as medication and therapy, there are many things you can do to improve your mental health. Those activities include (but are not limited to) exercise, relaxation training, or meditation. 

SOURCES:

Depression https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/depression

Edited by TLC Intern: Sarah Hardee