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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryDepression in Women: Signs, Causes, & Treatment
Table of Contents:OverviewSigns & Symptoms of Depression in WomenHow Depression Differs in WomenCauses of Depression in WomenHow to Treat Depression in Women
DepressionRead Time: 6 Minutes
Published On: May 17, 2021
Reviewed On: May 17, 2021
Updated On: November 1, 2023
OverviewDepression in women is common. It’s more than “just being sad” or “feeling down.” Depression is a mood disorder that can be difficult to navigate on your own. Untreated depression can have very severe symptoms and negatively affect just about everything in your life — from how you feel to the way you think and act. Depression is more common in women than it is in men. Researchers attribute this to potentially being a result of hormonal, biological, and social factors that are specific to women.
Overview
Depression in women is common. It’s more than “just being sad” or “feeling down.” Depression is a mood disorder that can be difficult to navigate on your own. Untreated depression can have very severe symptoms and negatively affect just about everything in your life — from how you feel to the way you think and act. Depression is more common in women than it is in men. Researchers attribute this to potentially being a result of hormonal, biological, and social factors that are specific to women.
Expert Insight
Licensed and Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)Liz Kelly, LCSW
Read on to learn more about the signs, symptoms, and causes of depression in women.
Signs & Symptoms of Depression in WomenSigns ofdepression in women can vary from men. Women aremore than twice as likelyto have clinical depression, which is also known asmajor depressive disorder(MDD). An estimatedone out of every four womenwill have a major depressive episode during their lifetime.
Signs & Symptoms of Depression in Women
Signs ofdepression in women can vary from men. Women aremore than twice as likelyto have clinical depression, which is also known asmajor depressive disorder(MDD). An estimatedone out of every four womenwill have a major depressive episode during their lifetime.
Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness and sadness. It can make women feel worthless and helpless. Depression symptoms can be mild, or moderate to severe, and they can vary in severity from episode to episode.Some of the major depression symptoms in women can include:Loss of interest in activities that once were pleasurableLoss of interest in sexFeeling sad or emptyStruggling with anxietyBeing restless or cranky, not to be confused withmanic depression or bipolar disorderExcessively cryingHaving feelings of guilt or worthlessnessFeeling helpless, hopeless, or generally pessimisticChanges in appetite — weight loss or weight gainSleeping too much or too littleFeeling fatigued, having less energyDifficulty concentrating or making decisionsPhysical symptoms that include headache, chronic pain, and digestive issues — these physical symptoms typically do not respond to treatmentSuicidal thoughtsSuicide attempts
Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness and sadness. It can make women feel worthless and helpless. Depression symptoms can be mild, or moderate to severe, and they can vary in severity from episode to episode.
Some of the major depression symptoms in women can include:
How Depression Differs in WomenDepressive symptoms in women are one of the things that can differ from men. There are multiple ways that depression affects women differently, including:Women more often have feelings of guiltThey’re more prone to attempt suicide (however they actually take their life less often than men do)Depression can happen earlier in life for women than menA depressive episode can last longer and be more likely to reoccurIt’s more commonly tied to life events that are stressfulIt’s more likely to be associated with an anxiety disorder — phobic disorder, eating disorder, or panic disorder
How Depression Differs in Women
Depressive symptoms in women are one of the things that can differ from men. There are multiple ways that depression affects women differently, including:
Causes of Depression in WomenThe causes of depression in women can be due to several things. As girls begin experiencing puberty, their risk of developing depression increases totwicewhat boys’ risks are at the same age. Some researchers attribute this to changes in hormone levels that naturally occur around puberty in a young woman’s life.Women can also have an increased risk of developing depression due to genetic, reproductive, and biological factors. Interpersonal relationships, personality traits, and psychological characteristics may also come into play.Women might have an increased risk of depression due to the following:A family history of depression or other mood disordersLoss of a parent in the formative years (before age 10)History of other mood disorders in earlier reproductive yearsOngoing social or psychological stress — relationship stress, divorce or separation, loss of a job, or other loss or traumaLacking orloss of a social support system, or fear of that lossUse of some medicationsPhysical abuse as a childSexual abuse as a childAdditionally, women might experience a specific type of depression after giving birth known as postpartum depression. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be experiencing postpartum depression, our clinically-backedpostpartum depression quizcan be a great first step in gaining clarity and starting the treatment process.
Causes of Depression in Women
The causes of depression in women can be due to several things. As girls begin experiencing puberty, their risk of developing depression increases totwicewhat boys’ risks are at the same age. Some researchers attribute this to changes in hormone levels that naturally occur around puberty in a young woman’s life.
Women can also have an increased risk of developing depression due to genetic, reproductive, and biological factors. Interpersonal relationships, personality traits, and psychological characteristics may also come into play.
Women might have an increased risk of depression due to the following:
Additionally, women might experience a specific type of depression after giving birth known as postpartum depression. If you suspect that you or someone you know may be experiencing postpartum depression, our clinically-backedpostpartum depression quizcan be a great first step in gaining clarity and starting the treatment process.
How to Treat Depression in Women
Several forms of treatment have been found effective in treating depression in women.Therapy, medication, and self-help techniques are all potential ways to treat it. It’s important to note that the same treatment often won’t work in the same way for every woman. Working with a therapist or doctor to figure out the best methods is essential.
The relationship between depression and menstruation, perinatal periods, pregnancy, or perimenopausal periods should be closely examined. Any links between a depressed mood and hormone replacement therapy and birth control should be explored, too.
Medication
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapyhas been shown in some cases to work more effectively than antidepressant medication. For women who have mild depression or moderate depression, CBT can be very effective. However, in more severe depression cases, a combination of CBT and medication may be most effective.
Talk therapy
Talk therapy, or psychotherapy, allows women to figure out how to process their emotions. They can learn to alter their thought patterns, which can reduce some depressive symptoms.
Self-help techniques
In addition to therapy and/or medication, self-help techniques can be helpful fordealing with depression. Things likemeditation, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, doing yoga, establishing a healthy sleep habit, journaling, and other therapeutic self-help tactics might be good options for women who are looking for help relieving some depression symptoms.
By educating yourself on depression, you can gain a better understanding about how to effectively treat it. Try not to get discouraged or give up if you don’t find the right treatment the first time. It might take some trial and error before you find that treatment or combination of treatments that’s most effective for your mental health.
If you, or someone you know, think you might have depression, start with ourdepression testto learn more. After you take the test, you can connect with a licensed therapist at Talkspace to get diagnosis and treatment.
See ReferencesDepression in Women: 5 Things You Should KnowNimh.nih.gov. Accessed November 8, 2021.Depression in WomenDebra Fulghum Bruce. WebMD. Published 2021. Accessed November 8, 2021.Depression in women: diagnostic and treatment considerationsBhatia, S C, and S K Bhatia. American family physician vol. 60,1 (1999): 225-34, 239-40. Accessed November 8, 2021
See References
Nimh.nih.gov. Accessed November 8, 2021.
Debra Fulghum Bruce. WebMD. Published 2021. Accessed November 8, 2021.
Bhatia, S C, and S K Bhatia. American family physician vol. 60,1 (1999): 225-34, 239-40. Accessed November 8, 2021
Liz Kelly, LCSWLiz Kelly, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Washington, DC and Virginia. She has spent much of her professional career specializing in the area of grief and loss. She previously worked at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, a bereavement counseling center in Washington, DC. During her time at the Wendt Center, she served as a grief counselor to adolescents and adults, provided crisis grief counseling services at the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, co-facilitated three-day bereavement camps for children ages 6–17, and led support groups and community trainings on grief. Ms. Kelly is passionate about making mental health more accessible and approachable.
Liz Kelly, LICSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in Washington, DC and Virginia. She has spent much of her professional career specializing in the area of grief and loss. She previously worked at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, a bereavement counseling center in Washington, DC. During her time at the Wendt Center, she served as a grief counselor to adolescents and adults, provided crisis grief counseling services at the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, co-facilitated three-day bereavement camps for children ages 6–17, and led support groups and community trainings on grief. Ms. Kelly is passionate about making mental health more accessible and approachable.
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