Anyone can suffer from depression. There is no demographic that is uniquely immune to this mental health condition. However, research indicates that women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. But why?
There are a myriad of reasons, but many can be linked to women’s biology and their social standing. Women go through many intense physical changes in their lives, from pregnancy to menopause, and they often face discrimination and social pressures that men simply don’t. The combination of biological and social factors can lead to mental health struggles, including depression.
Here are a few reasons why women may be more susceptible to depression than men.
Hormonal Fluctuations
Hormones can have a huge impact on mental health. Throughout much of a woman’s life, every month brings hormonal changes. Women who suffer from PMS during their menstrual cycles might be more vulnerable to depression. Pregnant women experience significant hormonal shifts, and many suffer from postpartum depression after giving birth.
Furthermore, women can be at risk of depression when they enter menopause. Dealing with these life changes and new realities can be challenging on both an emotional and physical level.
Chronic Stress
Women tend to report higher rates of chronic stress than men. They often have to manage their household, handle childcare, and work full-time. Even amongst couples that strive for an equal distribution of domestic labor, women are often seen as the “default parent.” They are expected to take care of anything and everything related to their children, while their husbands are seen as “helpers.”
Women can feel like they need to manage everything perfectly, but they’re juggling so much that eventually, something has got to give. Many women feel like they need to sacrifice their own mental health for the sake of others.
Poverty
Women are more likely to end up living in poverty than men. The wage gap still exists, and women are generally paid less than men over the course of their lifetimes. Additionally, many women take time away from work when they have children. This can reduce their lifetime earnings as well.
Furthermore, women are more likely than men to end up as single parents, which can have a drastic negative impact on their finances. Poverty places someone at a much higher risk of depression. Additionally, someone who is living in poverty will have trouble accessing the help they need to heal from depression, It’s a vicious cycle of inequality.
Social Pressure
Women face many different forms of social pressure, particularly when it comes to appearances. The pressure to look a certain way, or maintain a certain body type, can have an adverse effect on one’s mental health. Because of these unrealistic expectations, women can develop eating disorders, which often go hand in hand with depression.
Additionally, women can feel like they’re being conditioned to fit into a specific role and they worry that if they can’t, they won’t be accepted. Women might spend years trying to shrink themselves to fit into a certain box, but stifling yourself and your true self-expressions can eventually contribute to depression.
Other Risk Factors
Women are also more likely to deal with other risk factors for depression than men. For example, women are at a higher risk of physical or sexual abuse compared to men. These traumatic events can affect survivors for years to come, and many are too scared or ashamed to seek help in the aftermath.
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Do you suspect that you’re suffering from symptoms of depression? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling depression therapy with us.