Differences between women and men?
Some study shows that women are more likely than males to report or demonstrate some of the depressive symptoms listed above.
For example, according to 2020 research, women are more prone than males to feel sad or to weep. Anger is more common in males with depression, on the other hand.
It’s possible that gender roles are to blame for this, say the authors. Many cultures place a greater emphasis on males seeming powerful rather than vulnerable, with women being seen as more socially acceptable in doing so.
This is the unintended consequence of the stereotype that women are less capable and more sensitive than males, perpetuated by sexism. Men may suppress or self-medicate in order to deal with their emotions in order to live up to stringent expectations of masculinity.
If you think that women aren’t capable of expressing themselves in a way that’s both honest and authentic, think again. It just implies that the chance of it happening is reduced.
Do women experience depression at a higher rate than men?
Yes, data show that women are roughly twice as likely as males to suffer from depression.
10.4 percent of women over the age of 20 suffered depression in a given two-week period between 2013 and 2016, compared to 5.5 percent of males, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are a number of hypotheses as to why men and women are so different.
Biological factors
According to research published in 2020, the gender discrepancy in depression rates begins to emerge around the age of 12. It’s possible that the rise in sex hormones, whether from men or women, has something to do with this. It’s likely that the chemistry of the brain and the nervous system are affected differently by these hormones.
Whether or whether gender variations in biology have a role in depression is still up for debate, and research in this area is continuing.
Environmental factors
Discrimination and abuse on the basis of gender may also account for the gender discrepancy in depression rates.
According to the CDC, 1 in 3 women who have been raped says that their first attack happened between the ages of 11 and 17 years old.
Sexual harassment and objectification are very common experiences for women and girls. Research participants from Nepal in 2020 discovered that sexual harassment was a risk factor for depression, and another study indicated that self-objectification may also be a risk factor.” To put it another way, this is the point at which someone starts to see their own physical self as a sexual object.
In addition, women endure higher economical pressures than males do. According to the Mental Health Foundation of the United Kingdom, women are more likely than males to become carers and to live in poverty.
Underdiagnosis and underreporting
Male depression may be underreported, according to research published in 2021. Many mild to moderate episodes of depression may not be included in the statistics since males are more likely than women to seek treatment when their depression is at a more severe level.
What sorts of depression are more common among women?
Yes, some forms of depression are more prevalent in women than in men. Among them are:
Perinatal and postpartum depression
Depression during and after pregnancy is referred to as a perinatal depression. Postpartum depression is by far the most frequent.
Postpartum depression is more severe and lasts longer than the “baby blues,” which is a short period of sorrow and emotional fragility after childbirth.
It is possible to suffer from postpartum depression, which has many of the same symptoms as other kinds of depression. as well as the following:
- that they are a bad mother
- disconnected from the baby or trouble bonding with the baby
- a desire to get away from or hurt the baby
The risk factors for postpartum depression include
- previous history of depression or other mental health conditions
- high risk or traumatic pregnancy
- having negative attitudes toward the pregnancy
- having been pregnant before
- financial problems
- lack of social support
- relationship problems
- getting pregnant young, before the age of 19
- exposure to domestic violence
- lack of decision-making power at home
- lack of partner support
Postpartum depression affects both sexes, despite the fact that there has been less study on the subject. Stressors for the non-birthing spouse might include financial concerns, sleep loss, and difficulties in the couple’s relationship.
PMDD
Extreme mood swings are a hallmark of PMDD, which is a more severe version of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Typically, the symptoms begin before a woman receives her period and subside as the cycle progresses or concludes.
PMDD is characterized by the following:
- mood swings
- depressed mood
- difficulty concentrating
- insomnia or excessive sleeping
- physical symptoms, such as bloating or headaches
- anxiety or feeling “on edge”
There must be a correlation between the symptoms and a person’s menstrual cycle in order to get a diagnosis of PMDD.
Is suicide more common in women?
Suicide risk may be influenced by a variety of factors. Depression may be a risk factor for heart disease.
In general, women are more likely than males to attempt suicide. Despite making fewer attempts, males are more likely to commit suicide than women.
It’s unclear why however various possibilities have been floated:
Support
Depression and suicidal thoughts are more common in women than in males, and women are more likely to seek help for them. People who care about them may take steps to prevent their own suicide.
Method
Men are more likely than women to utilize fatal techniques such as a weapon to end their lives. Women are more likely to survive a drug overdose because doctors have a better chance of saving them.
Biology
Androgens, the male sex hormone, have been linked to suicidal behavior in guys, according to a 2020 analysis. High amounts of these hormones have been related to aggressiveness and suicide, according to some studies.
Suicidal or self-harming thoughts are major signs of emotional distress, regardless of the situation. A mental health expert should be consulted by anybody exhibiting these signs.
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