Many documents record that women experience depression more often than men. This condition is independent regardless of race, ethnicity, or group.
A large-scale study conducted in 2017 stated that starting at the age of 12, girls were twice as likely to develop depression as boys. Several risk factors might explain the effect of gender differences on the level of depression experienced.
Hormone Differences
Hormonal differences between women and men are believed to have an important role in the number of recorded cases of depression. This is based on a woman's peak risk of depression that coincides with the duration of their fertile period, which is between the ages of 25 and 44.
The hormones estrogen and progesterone have been shown to affect the female neurotransmitter, neuroendocrine, and circadian systems that are responsible for a person's mood. Real evidence of a relationship between female sex hormones and mood conditions is the phenomenon of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) which is characterized by the appearance of symptoms of depression at the beginning of the menstrual cycle.
Socialization Differences
Researchers say that differences in socializing between women and men affect depression levels. Generally, women are encouraged to be more sensitive to the opinions of others, while men are often shaped to be more independent.
- Social Roles
Women who are housewives are often underestimated by the environment around them. Meanwhile, career women also often face discrimination and inequality in the world of work. These conditions can increase the rate of depression in women.
- Problem Solving
Women tend to involve their feelings more in overcoming a problem. Meanwhile, men focus more on the problem itself when dealing with it. The habit of women reflecting on the problem continuously in their minds can also increase a woman's vulnerability to more severe depression.
- Women Have More Difficult Times
Adolescent girls report having more difficult times in life than boys. Usually related to family or peer relationships. Higher stress responses to problems were also reported in women.
Differential Diagnosis
Researchers also said that there is no difference in the prevalence of depression in women and men. However, women more often ask for help or report symptoms of depression, which causes the number of depression diagnoses in women to be higher than in men. In addition to showing different symptoms, depression in men tends to go undiagnosed because it is often described as stress rather than feeling sad.
Read more interesting articles only on Fitie!
Source:
Schimelpfening, N., & Snyder, C. (2020). Why Depression Is More Common in Women Than in Men. Very Well Mind. [online]. https://www.verywellmind.com/why-is-depression-more-common-in-women-1067040