Global Health Asia-Pacific July 2020 July 2020 | Page 60
Mental Health
Mental
depression
in women
Depression is a serious mental disorder
that affects twice as many women as men.
A number of factors can cause depression
in women: its major symptoms are feelings
of sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness.
Treatment includes therapy, antidepressant
medications, diet and exercise. Because
medication has produced mixed results,
experts recommend a healthy lifestyle,
being around people to share feelings, and
changing one’s perception of oneself.
Text by Leena Gauba
Depression is a serious mental health disorder
that causes low moods, feelings of sadness,
and loss of interest in daily activities. Twice
as many women suffer from this illness as men, a
difference that crosses racial, ethnic and economic
divides. It is also a medical condition that many
women are unable to admit they have because it is not
only difficult to diagnose, but many are ashamed to tell
others they feel depressed. One in four women is likely
to experience an episode of major depression in her
life. There is no single cause, but a number of factors
can increase the risk of depression.
Main factors leading to depression in women
Psychological factors unique to women can be a
major cause of depression. Women tend to be more
emotional than men, which can lead them to dwell
on negative feelings, causing them to cry or become
angry. They also have a higher tendency to ruminate,
which can deepen negative emotions, while men tend
to distract themselves. As women typically juggle
more roles than men, they can become overwhelmed
and stressed, which is another source of depression.
�ome women also suffer from insecurity about
their body image. These feelings can start as early
as puberty, with teenage girls being affected more
than their male counterparts. Unrealistic images of
attractive women shown in the media often hurt rather
than help women who already have low self-esteem.
Social factors, such as marital or relationship
problems, can be another source of depression. While
having to care for family members can put immense
pressure on women, career issues and problems
in the workplace, such as gender discrimination,
not achieving goals, losing and changing jobs, and
financial problems can also exacerbate unwanted
feelings. Experiencing the death of a loved one or
a stressful life event can similarly cause many to
become sad, withdrawn and depressed.
Often overlooked is that chemical imbalances in the
brain can cause depression. This happens when parts
of the brain that manage mood, sleep, behaviour,
appetite, and thoughts don’t have the right balance of
chemicals. For over 30 years, scientists have found
that quantities of monoamines, which are moodrelated
chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and
norepinephrine, tend to be lower in those diagnosed
with depression. Antidepressants are used to increase
58 JULY 2020 GlobalHealthAndTravel.com