Depression in Women

Here are the facts about depression in women: In the U.S., about 15 million people experience depression each year. The majority of them are women. Unfortunately, nearly two-thirds do not get the help they need.

Depression in women is very common. In fact, women are twice as likely to develop clinical depression as men. Up to one in four women is likely to have an episode of major depression at some point in life.

What is depression?

Depression is a serious and pervasive mood disorder. It causes feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression can be mild to moderate with symptoms of apathy, little appetite, difficulty sleeping, low self-esteem, and low-grade fatigue. Or it can be more severe.

What are the symptoms of depression in women?

Symptoms of depression in women include:

Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, including sex

Restlessness, irritability, or excessive crying

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, pessimism

Sleeping too much or too little, early-morning waking

Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain

Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down"

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain

What are the symptoms of mania in women?

Mania is a highly elevated mood that can occur with bipolar disorder. Moods in bipolar disorder swing from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. Even though mania is an elevated mood, it is serious and needs medical assessment and treatment.

The symptoms of mania include:

Abnormally elevated mood

Irritability

Decreased need for sleep

Grandiose ideas

Greatly increased talking

Racing thoughts

Increased activity, including sexual activity

Markedly increased energy

Poor judgment that can lead to risk-taking behavior

Inappropriate social behavior

 

Why is depression in women more common than depression in men?

Before adolescence, the rate of depression is about the same in girls and boys. However, with the onset of puberty, a girl's risk of developing depression increases dramatically to twice that of boys.

Some experts believe that the increased chance of depression in women may be related to changes in hormone levels that occur throughout a woman's life. These changes are evident during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as after giving birth or experiencing a miscarriage. In addition, the hormone fluctuations that occur with each month's menstrual cycle probably contribute to premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD -- a severe syndrome marked especially by depression, anxiety, and mood swings that occurs the week before menstruation and interferes with normal functioning of daily life.

What increases the chances of depression in women?

According to the National Institutes of Health, factors that increase the risk of depression in women include reproductive, genetic, or other biological factors; interpersonal factors; and certain psychological and personality characteristics. In addition, women juggling work with raising kids and women who are single parents suffer more stress that may trigger symptoms of depression. Other factors that could increase risk include:

Family history of mood disorders

History of mood disorders in early reproductive years

Loss of a parent before age 10

Loss of social support system or the threat of such a loss

Ongoing psychological and social stress, such as loss of a job, relationship stress, separation or divorce

Physical or sexual abuse as a child

Use of certain medications

Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a baby. Some people get seasonal affective disorder in the winter. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder.
Understanding Depression -- Prevention

Although depression is a highly treatable condition, some forms of depression may not be preventable. That's because depression may be triggered by a chemical malfunctioning in the brain. However, the latest medical studies confirm that depression may often be alleviated and sometimes prevented with good health habits. Eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and taking time out for fun and relaxation, may work together to prevent a depressed mood.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of depression that last for more than one or two weeks, see your health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Jay Z on Rumors, Romancing Beyoncé, and His "Biggest Fan," Blue Ivy

Jay Z cuts a dapper figure in a suit and tie on the cover of Vanity Fair's November 2013 issue, which is available on Oct. 9. In what might just be his most revealing interview yet, Jay opened up about everything from his checkered past as a drug dealer in the streets of Brooklyn to his current status as a husband and father. The oft-private hip-hop megastar even talked about something that we rarely hear about from him: his relationship with Beyoncé Knowles. On their early courtship, Jay said that he worked hard to "wine and dine" his wife of five years, adding, "You've got to try first. You got to dazzle." See more quotes from Jay Z on handling rumors, Blue's musical tastes, and why he and Beyoncé decided to trademark their baby's name in November's Vanity Fair:

On Blue Ivy's musical tastes: "She does like her mother's music — she watches [Beyoncé's concerts] on the computer every night. But my album came out and I don't k

On his past as a drug dealer: "I know about budgets. I was a drug dealer. To be in a drug deal, you need to know what you can spend, what you need to re-up. Things you can get in easily to get out of [that] life. At some point, you have to have an exit strategy, because your window is very small; you're going to get locked up or you're going to die."

On his early courtship with Beyoncé: "[In 2001] we were just beginning to try to date each other. You've got to try first. You got to dazzle . . . wine and dine."

Would Beyoncé have dated him if he wasn't "Jay Z"?: "If I'm as cool as I am, yes. But she's a charming Southern girl, you know, she's not impressed . . . But I would have definitely had to be this cool."

On rumors that Beyoncé wasn't really pregnant with Blue: "It's just so stupid. You know, I felt dismissive about it, but you've got to feel for her. I mean, we've got a really charmed life, so how can we complain? But we're still human beings. And even in hip-hop, all the blogs had a field day with it. I'm like, 'We come from you guys, we represent you guys. Why are you perpetuating this? Why are you adding fuel to this ridiculous rumor?'"

On trademarking Blue's name: "People wanted to make products based on our child's name, and you don't want anybody trying to benefit off your baby's name. It wasn't for us to do anything; as you see, we haven't done anything."