Why Do Women Get the Blues?
By Cynthia Mascott, LMHC
October 19, 2006
Pages: 1 2 Next »
“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.”
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, William Shakespeare, 1600-01
Diagnosing Depression in Women
Did you know that women are twice as likely to experience depression as men? Did you know
that 10 to 25 percent of women are at risk for suffering from depression over the course of their
lifetimes?
Depression has many roots. It may result from a life circumstance (loss of a job, loss of a friend),
or may be biologically driven. Whatever its origin, depression can be tough to manage and quite
debilitating.
According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV), there are a number of symptoms that define
depression. These include:
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depressed mood (feelings of hopelessness and helplessness);
sleep disturbances (insomnia or sleeping too much);
appetite disturbances (eating too much or too little or complete loss of appetite);
social withdrawal;
feelings of worthlessness;
difficulty concentrating; and
memory problems.
Researchers have found a number of biological and sociological reasons for the higher incidence
of depression among women. At different points in a woman’s life (such as puberty, pregnancy,
and menopause), hormonal changes can affect a woman’s mood. The specific biological link
between hormones and depression is not well understood.
Sociological reasons also lead to depression among women. The American Psychological
Association, in an article entitled, “What You Should Know About Women and Depression,”
states, “One reason that men may suffer less from depression has to do with different coping
styles. Men are more likely to employ action and mastery strategies, that is, to involve
themselves in activities (work, sports, going out with friends) that both distract them from their
worries and, perhaps, more importantly, give them a sense of power and control. Women, on the
other hand, tend to ‘brood’ and dwell on their problems, often with other women.”
Treating Depression in Women
Psychotherapy has been helpful for women (and men) suffering from depression. Many types of
therapy are available. These include:
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behavioral therapy, a type of treatment in which the therapist works with the woman to
teach her new coping skills;
psychodynamic therapy, an intensive form of therapy with an emphasis on determining
underlying issues and concerns;
interpersonal psychotherapy, which focuses on the woman’s interpersonal relationships
and helps her to improve her interactive skills;
cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which the emphasis is on treating the symptoms rather
than the underlying issues and correcting negative thinking patterns; and
feminist therapy, which seeks to empower a woman. Feminist therapists view a
woman’s depression and other mental health problems as a symptom of cultural
oppression.
Antidepressants also have been useful for women suffering from depression. Current
medications that are frequently prescribed include the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors
(SSRIs); among these are the medications Effexor, Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft. Antidepressants
must be prescribed by a physician and closely monitored. Women should not stop taking an
antidepressant without consulting their physician.
St. John’s wort, an herbal remedy, also has been effective in treating mild versions of depression.
When depressed, it is often hard to get motivated; at the same time, inaction merely prolongs the
problem. Once a woman decides to seek help, she has a good chance of feeling significantly
better.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, 4th Edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
What you should know about women and depression. (2000, February 17). Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association. Retrieved February 17, 2000 from the World Wide Web:
http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/depress.html