Depression: The Development in Men and Women
Women are twice as likely to develop depression than men. According to mental health experts, 12 million women in the United States experience symptoms of depression each year and occurs more frequently in women 25 to 44, the age period when women are bombarded with many of the familiar problem and pitfalls of life. The causes of depression in women can be organized into two main categories: inner and middle of environment.
With internal causes of depression, women may have inherited a genetic vulnerability to depression or other mood disorders, hormonal imbalances have emotional disturbance causes include: pregnancy (including postpartum depression), menstruation, puberty and menopause. Environmental factors of depression in women more often include: financial problems, marital status, civil strife, overload, the pressures of parenthood, sexual, physical and mental abuse by a partner, death of a parent or spouse and health problems work.Aspects of depression in men share some similarities and differences compared with women. While only an estimated 6 million men experience depression in the United States each year, this number may be under reported as depression is seen as a character flaw of weakness and by men who are taught to be strong and capable.
Unfortunately, the consequences of keeping hidden their depression often manifests itself in anger, irritable behavior, a short temper and intolerance. The causes of depression for men share some similarities with the women, as well as the difference. The causes and common risk factors include inherited genetic vulnerability to depression and mood disorders, financial and career pressures, aging and pressure breadwinner, alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, death in the family, decreased sexual ability, chronic health problems and fatigue of responsibility (men are less able to accept responsibility for the lives of women).
The risk of suicide for men is much higher than women with 80 percent of all successful suicides performed by men. The reason for this rate is thought to focus on the fact that men are less likely to talk about their depression, acknowledge and seek help. However, if more men and women are able to recognize and address the general causes of depression, prevention and treatment is more likely to be successful.
Treatment for depression in women and men is possible with cognitive behavioral therapy (type of therapy focuses on thoughts, not external or actions), interpersonal psychotherapy, family therapy, marriage counseling and pharmacotherapy (medication). Despite the popularity of antidepressants, mental health experts advise that drugs are mainly the “symptoms”, while therapy can address the causes. Mental health counselors today are highly trained and specialized in different needs and sharing of depression in men and women.