Depression in Women

Your sex is a factor in determining whether or not you’re more at risk of developing depression.
Women are twice as likely as their male counterparts to suffer from this form of mental illness, whether it’s because they actually do or because men feel uncomfortable asking for help and saying they feel vulnerable is something that the medical profession is still attempting to determine.

The reason that women’s rate of depression may be twice as high as men’s is due in part to hormonal issues. Women experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to varying degrees and those who suffer severe mood swings, painful ovulation, bloating, water weight gain, and agonizing menses are at a higher risk of becoming depressed than women who do not have PMS. Men, of course, do not suffer from these issues.

After a woman gives birth, her hormones are all out of whack. It’s common for some women to experience baby blues after becoming a new mother, but some women fall into a deep and increasingly dark mood from which they cannot escape. This is called post-partum depression and can occur anytime from immediately after giving birth to six months into motherhood. A woman experiencing post-partum depression may not want to hold her child or feel as though she has bonded with her infant in any way. She feels guilty about this lack of emotion on her part, which only leads her further down into despair. A woman who is having these feelings should seek immediate medical help.

Another risk factor for women is miscarriage. Although irrational, a woman may feel to blame somehow for the loss of her baby and thus her risk for emotional disorders is greatly increased. Young mothers who stay at home with small children often claim they feel isolated and alone. This loss of a social network or perceived social status can also contribute to depressive episodes. Read more...

Depression in Men

Men are not like women. Yes, I know that this is stunning news. Alert the media! It’s true though; men are different from women in more ways than one would normally think. Due to their differences they are more vulnerable to some serious side effects of depression.

‘Vulnerable’ isn’t a word that’s often associated with males and that’s part of the problem. Men, as a rule, do not talk about their feelings. They don’t like to be thought of as vulnerable, weak, in need of help, or fragile. A man is much less likely to confide in a friend, a co-worker, spouse or medical professional that they are feeling depressed.

Depression affects men as well as women, yet the medical profession sees much fewer men than women because men do not seek help for this condition as much as their female counterparts do.
Men feel the need to be powerful, in control, competitive and often neglect their mental health in the process of being ‘manly’. Men have traditionally had the role of being tough and self-reliant, and sometimes the women in their lives hold that same view of the male role. A man wanting to talk about his feelings of vulnerability and fragility can be taken as a sign of weakness to some women and this can result in the loss of a relationship.

Because men are not inclined to believe they need help and think that it’s a sign of virility that they can handle whatever life throws their way—they are not often aware of the symptoms of depression. Instead of seeking help, men may try to compensate for their feelings of depression by increasing alcohol consumption or using drugs to mask their pain. This can result in risky behavior.

Some will spend more time at work and less time at home, leading to problems in relationships. If you’re suffering from depression you may be underperforming at work, feel less likely to talk than usual, you feel irritable, feel achy and you are worrying more and more about things in your life.

Physical problems, such as erectile dysfunction can result in depression in men. Occasionally depression can cause sexual problems, but the good news is that there are many treatments available to help with both.

Men should know that depression can affect them as well as women and need to know the signs:

• Feelings of hopelessness
• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety
• Loss of sex drive
• Trouble concentrating
• Loss of energy
• No desire to maintain personal hygiene
• Losing interest in people or activities

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms it’s ok to talk to your doctor. You’re not superman. Asking for help doesn’t make you weak. Read more...

Types of Depression

You’re down and feeling blue. Someone ate all your chocolate ice cream or moved your cheese or something has simply made you feel bad. Perhaps things are not going well at work with your boss and you’re worried a pink slip is in your near future.

Are you depressed? Maybe. Is it serious? Probably not.
There are different types of depression, according to the AMA. Some can be quite serious and require medication, other’s are fleeting, lasting a few days to a week and are situational in origin.
Here are the some types of depressive disorders recognized by the AMA.

Major Depression.
This depression is recognized by a persistent sadness and some experience the inability to experience any pleasure in their lives. A Major Depression isn’t fleeting—it’s constant and interferes with a person’s life. They might miss work, family gatherings and if severe may not leave home at all. A depressive episode of this magnitude can be treated medically. If it’s not taken care of it may last up to six months or more. If they’re lucky a person could experience a severe depressive episode such as this once in their lifetime. Unfortunately it’s more common for major depression to be a reoccurring disorder.

Atypical Depression.
This is a fairly common subtype of Major Depression. Those who experience this form of depression can feel a short-lived elevation of their mood when confronted with positive things happening in their lives. The elevation in mood, whether it’s being out with friends or getting a piece of good news, is always fleeting. With Atypical Depression you can have weight gain, increase in appetite, and an increased desire to sleep, lethargy and hyper-sensitivity to any form of rejection.

Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a kind of low-grade depression that can last for two years. It’s not as debilitating as a Major Depression, but it can and does interfere with the daily life of those who suffer from it. Most days a person suffering from dysthymic disorder will feel anywhere from mildly to moderately depressed with short periods of feeling normal. Some with dysthmic depression also fall into Major Depressive Episodes and this is called double depression.

SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder
SAD is the name used to refer to a seasonal pattern of major depression that happen during the fall and winter months when sunlight is in short supply, especially in northern climates. The symptoms disappear once the sun reappears or the person suffering from SAD uses a special light.

Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression affects many women who have recently given birth and is considered to be brought on by the hormonal upheavals that new mother’s experience. It generally lasts longer and is more severe than a simple bout of the ‘baby blues’ and can occur right after birth or up to six months afterwards.

The good news is that depression is a treatable disease and seeing your doctor is your first step on the road to feeling like yourself again. If someone you know is suffering from some of these symptoms, talk to them about what you think might be going on. It might turn them around. Read more...