Is Depression Experienced by Women and Men Equally?

Depression is not experienced in the same manner and to the same extent by all age groups and sexes. It is a well known fact that women experience depression more than men. This is true regardless of economic status, racial and ethnic background. There are many factors responsible for this difference in the experience of depression. Research has shown that hormonal, biological, life cycle and psychological factors are mainly responsible for the higher rate of depression in women as compared to men. Research has also shown that the chemical processes of the brain, that control mood and emotions, are directly affected by hormones.

The hormone secretions in women vary according to life cycles and periodical physical changes that women experience. The periodical or life cycle changes in men are far less. Many women experience depression during different parts of the menstrual cycle. Most cases of depression occur a few days before the menses. This is part of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) resulting from the hormonal changes that typically take place around the time of ovulation and before menstruation starts. Many women also become vulnerable to depression after childbirth due to hormonal and physiological changes as well as the added responsibilities of taking care of the newborn. All of these occurring at the same time may prove to be overwhelming and cause depression in women.

Postpartum depression, which is more serious than the baby blues that many new mothers experience, requires treatment and the new mother needs emotional support of family members to get through it. It has been observed that most of these women, who experience postpartum depression, have usually experienced episodes of depression earlier and this is what makes them vulnerable to depression in the post partum period. Of course men may also experience some emotional changes during this period of new fatherhood but it is usually some anxiety and nothing more serious.