09/06/2024
Human&mentalhealththerapist/expert
What is depression?
Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects how you think, feel and behave. While everyone feels sad or down from time to time, depression lasts longer and may affect many parts of your life.
Depression is more common in women than in men. Women are often the people caring for others, sometimes at the cost of their own health and wellbeing. While women are more likely to experience depression, they are also more likely to reach out for help and support. This is an important first step in overcoming depression.
***causes depression in women?
Big life changes like pregnancy, parenthood and menopause can cause both physical and emotional stresses in women. Negative life experiences can also affect women’s mental health and their well-being. Common experiences include trouble getting pregnant, losing a baby, dealing with violence or feeling isolated. There are many different factors that can contribute to depression including:
family history (genetic factors)
changes in the brain
physical health problems
personality
long-term stresses (such as relationship stress, work stress)
stressful or traumatic events
Some experiences that add to women’s higher risk of depression are:
Caring roles — More than 2 in 3 women are primary carers for children, parents and partners. Balancing caring roles with other responsibilities can impact a woman’s physical and mental health.
Violence or abuse — Many Australian women have experienced violence or abuse by an intimate partner. This often negatively affects a woman’s health and wellbeing.
Infertility and miscarriage — Many Australian couples face infertility and experience perinatal loss. This can be very painful, especially since these losses are often mourned privately. Women with a strong desire to have children can find these events especially stressful.
Pregnancy and birth — Up to 1 in 10 women experience depression during pregnancy, and 1 in 6 women develop depression during the first year after giving birth.
Menopause — Hormonal changes and many life transitions that take place around menopause increase a woman’s chance of developing mental health issues, including depression.
