Women Vs. Men: Common Causes And Reactions To DepressionPosted by Ridhi Arora on April 11th, 2019 Everyone goes through trying times in their lives that cause them to feel really down and out. The loss of a loved one or a significant decrease in finances, for example, can cause a relatively positive person to become depressed. While feeling sad about the above circumstances are completely normal, prolonged periods of negative emotion can eventually take a toll on the body. In some instances, women even turn to substances like drugs and alcohol as a means to cope. In turn, this increases the potential for becoming dependent or addicted. Difference in Symptoms While the general symptoms of depression are the same for both women and men, there can be some differences for women that should be noted. For instance, women are more likely to suffer from a seasonal affective disorder which is a form of depression during the winter as a result of decreased sunlight. Women are also more likely to suffer from symptoms of atypical depression. This form of depression produces the exact opposite effects. Instead of losing weight, sleeping less often, and a decrease in appetite, women are more likely to experience excessive sleeping, binge eating, and weight gain. Below is a brief understanding of how depression might affect women versus men. Women suffering from depression:
Men suffering from depression:
Understanding the Causes of Depression It is quite common to wonder how you started feeling depressed, and while in some cases it may be quite obvious, there are instances in which it's rather complex. There are plenty of factors that can play into the cause of depression for a woman. Hormonal Causes
Psychological Causes
Social Causes
Now that you have a better understanding of how depression affects women vs. men you can have an easier time figuring out what to do. If you believe you have been depressed for a long period of time the best thing you can do for yourself is seek the help of a therapist. They can use various cognitive therapies to help you sort through your emotions and learn to deal with life’s circumstances in a different way. Like it? Share it!More by this author |