Causes of Depression in Women

There are a few common causes of depression in women. They can be classified as biological, psychological, cultural and social.

Biological causes

Agenesis and pregnancy are among biological causes of depression in women. Hormonal changes, undesired pregnancy, abortion can result in depression. Women who fall into high-risk group have moods very often. All these factors play a serious role.

The other biological causes of depression in women are premenstrual and menopause problems, as well as perimenopause.  In case of perimenopause and during a premenstrual period, rapid fluctuations of reproductive hormones are present and it can result in depression, especially in women who are in the high-risk group and those who has a history of this disorder. In case of premenstrual problems, symptoms can be similar to those ones of premenstrual syndrome. These are emotional reactivity, fatigability, bloat and acrimony. In most cases these symptoms are not dangerous for life and health, but sometimes they are rather severe and can result in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

A lot of women have postnatal depression. Most of them need a few weeks to get over, but the others suffer from long-lasting and severe acedia known as post-natal depression or “baby blues”. Hormonal fluctuations are among causes of depression in women in this case.

Psychological causes

Male and female depressions differ from each other and the first signs of this difference appear in adolescence. Appearance of sex differences in puberty are among causes of depression in women. Body image plays a great role in self-esteem. Girls who do not like their body image make the first step towards depression.

Response to stress also refers to causes of depression in women. According to researches even in case of low level of stress women have moods more often. In fact, men produce less hormones know as stress hormones than women.

Coping mechanisms is also among serious causes of depression in women. Men usually clam up when they suffer from depression. Women tend to talk about their low mood and depression. They also tend to cry to de-stress. But it only makes everything worse and exacerbates the issue.

Social causes

Social causes of depression in women are lack of power, role strain, unequal or low status, physical and sexual abuse, poverty and dissatisfaction in relationship. When women lack status, they feel helpless. This feeling can be also provoked with unemployment or discrimination at work. Unequal power puts them at serious risk of acedia. Emphasis of society on beauty and youth also refers to social causes of depression in women.

Women play too much roles in their life. They work and earn money, they are wives and mothers. As a result, they are overwhelmed with responsibilities. This factor can be added to the list of causes of depression in women.  Role strain is one more stressor which can result in depression. Those women who do not receive help and support at home are at the highest risk, as well as single mothers.

Both physical abuse and sex abuse are very serious causes of depression in women. Rape victims, especially children, and women who came under attack of criminals are at the highest risk of this mental and psychological disorder.

Women take poverty more heavily than men. This stressor is a serious contributor to depression, especially in single mothers.

And the last, but no less important factor is relationship discontent. Of course, married women have fewer chances to have moods, as well as married men, but only in case, if they are satisfied with their marriage. Otherwise, marriage becomes one more stressor and can be referred to causes of depression in women, as well as in men.

And again, let us talk about differences between men and women.  According to statistics, half as much of men suffer from this disorder than women. The most common causes of depression in women and in men are economic and ethnic dividers.  But women experience symptoms of this disorder more often, as well as symptoms of atypical depression. It means they eat more, sleep too long and gain weight, instead of loosing weight, sleeping and eating less. Thyroid problems in women are also among main stressors. Of course, we have written only about most common causes of depression in women. In fact, the list of all factors can be very long.