Depression has become so common in industrialized countries that physicians often refer to it as the common cold of psychiatry. Wondering, “Am I depressed?” has become a common question. And depression in women is more frequent than in men.
The reasons may not be entirely clear, but experts suggest it’s a mixture of biological, psychological, and sociocultural matters. The following are the different explanations of the contributory factors of depression in women.
“Am I Depressed?” Biological Explanations
Women may have a stronger genetic predisposition to developing the mental issue. Women are also more subjected to fluctuating hormone levels. This is particularly evident during childbirth and menopause.
They are more susceptible to asking, “Am I depressed?” Therefore, depression in women is a direction in life that most women may not be able to avoid. Depression has become some sort of rite of passage for women.
Psychological Elucidations for Depression in Women
Am I thinking too much? Am I depressed? Am I not enough? These are the common question that every woman has asked to themselves. Women are naturally more contemplative or meditative than men, and by thinking about things more, depression is more likely to develop.
Depression in women has therefore become a common occurrence. Women tend to think more about what brought about the problems, could it have been averted, what are the things that should be done, etc. Men on the other hand will just react to difficult times with indifference, ire, or substance misuse.
Women are also more invested in relationships than men, so relationship problems will most likely affect women more, which could eventually lead to depression. Women also tend to idealize or romanticize the relationship.
Stories are already created on their minds, so when reality doesn’t match their preconceived notion on things, they get disappointed and feel lonelier to the point of asking themselves am I depressed even if they already know the answer to that question. Depression in women may be common, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a serious illness that needs to be treated.
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Sociocultural Explications
Women are more stressed out than men. And too much stress could possibly lead to the mental issue. They are expected to go to work, maintain their home, bring up the children, care for older relatives, and put up with all the sexism.
With that much work, depression in women is sure to happen to anyone at some point in their lives. And any woman for that matter has asked herself am I depressed for at least once in her life.
Women also live longer than men and old age is mostly associated with bereavement, loneliness, poor physical health, and precarity. Combine all these conditions and you have the perfect ingredients for developing depression in women. For example, a recent poll shows that almost 10% of people over 55 have experienced the death of a spouse.
Women are also more likely to ask themselves am I depressed then, consult a doctor, and to discuss their feelings with their doctor. So, the doctor would also be more likely to make a diagnosis that they have depression.
Upon reading the reasons why this mental health issue is more prevalent among women than in men, were you able to relate to this seemingly unimportant but definitely serious illness? Have you ever asked yourself am I depressed? What do you think should be done to overcome depression in women?