Depression In Women & Men

Causes of Depression
Some types of depression run in families, suggesting that a biological vulnerability can be inherited. This seems to be the case with bipolar disorder. Studies of families in which members of each generation develop bipolar disorder found that those with the illness have a somewhat different genetic makeup than those who do not get ill. However, the reverse is not true: Not everybody with the genetic makeup that causes vulnerability to bipolar disorder will have the illness. Apparently additional factors, possibly stresses at home, work, or school, are involved in its onset.

Major Depression also seems to occur in many families generation after generation. Yet at the same time it can occur in people who have no family history of depression or depression related illnesses. Regardless of wether it is inherited or not, a major depressive disorder is often times associated with changes in brain functions or brain structure.
Those who are suffering from low self-esteem, and who consistently look at themselves and the world surrounding them with pessimism or those who are readily overwhelmed by stress, are more prone to depression. Whether this represents a psychological predisposition or an early form of the illness is not clear.

As discovered in recent years, many researchers have shown that physical changes in the body can be accompanied by mental changes as well. Medical illnesses such as stroke, a heart attack, cancer, Parkinson's disease, and hormonal disorders can cause a depressive illness, making the sick person apathetic and unwilling to care for his or her physical needs, thus prolonging the recovery period. Also, a serious loss, difficult relationship, financial problem, or any stressful (unwelcome or even desired) change in life patterns can trigger a depressive episode. Very often, a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors is involved in the onset of a depressive disorder. Later episodes of illness typically are precipitated by only mild stresses, or none at all.

Depression in Women
Women experience depression about twice as often as men. Many hormonal factors may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women—particularly such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage, postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. Many women also face additional stresses such as responsibilities both at work and home, single parenthood, and caring for children and for aging parents.

Woman are also more vulnerable to depression after giving birth to a child. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of caring for a new life can be many factors that lead to postpartum depression in women. Full-blown depressive disorders and not normal for a new mother and occurances of such disorders does require active intervention. By seeing a physician and getting support from family members emotionally can help greatly in aiding a new mother to revocer from postpartum depression.

Depression in Men
Men are not as likely as women to suffer from depression, however, about 3 to 4 million men in the US are affected in one form or another by a depressive illness. Unlike women, man are less likely to admit that they are suffering from signs of depression, and doctors are less likely to detect it. Suicide among depressed men is four times great than that of women suffering from derpession, though women attempt suicide more often.

Depression in men is often masked by others problems such as alcohol or drug abuse, or working excessively long hours at work. Most men with depression show signs of anger, hostility and irratability; thus depression in men may be more difficult to recognize.
Men's depression is often masked by alcohol or drugs, or by the socially acceptable habit of working excessively long hours. Depression typically shows up in men not as feeling hopeless and helpless, but as being irritable, angry, and discouraged; hence, depression may be difficult to recognize as such in men. Even if a man realizes that he is depressed, he may be less willing than a woman to seek help. Encouragement and support from concerned family members can make a difference. In the workplace, employee assistance professionals or worksite mental health programs can be of assistance in helping men understand and accept depression as a real illness that needs treatment.