Depression, Avoid Mild Symptoms

Persistent Depressive Disorder Considered a milder form of depression, this is an extended depressed mood that lasts for two years or more. Major depressive episodes i. In this form of depression, severe mood swings, anxiety, and negative thoughts present themselves in the week prior to the start of menstruation and dissipate once the menstrual period begins. Depressive symptoms are severe enough to negatively impact interpersonal relationships and interfere with daily activities. There are a multitude of genetic, hormonal, psychological, and social factors that come into play when citing the cause of depression in women.

Biology and Hormones Biologically speaking, depression runs in families — with scientific evidence that some genetic makeups are more prone to depression, whereas some genetic makeups are more resistant to it. Though, environmental factors are thought to interact with genetic predispositions. That is, just because you may be more prone to depression because of your genes, healthy family and social relationships can increase resilience. Other biological and hormonal factors are also likely to increase your chances of suffering from depression.

Most of these are due to hormonal imbalances and rapid fluctuations in reproductive hormones. Health problems, in general, especially those of chronic illness or disability can prompt depression in women, as can medical life changes — such as frequent dieting and smoking cessation. Psychological Causes Women are more prone to psychological causes of depression than men. With a tendency to be more emotional, women are more likely to rehash negative thoughts during bouts of depression.

While it is a normal response to cry, talk with friends, and rehash why it is you are in your depressive state, research has shown that ruminating about depression can cause it to last longer and even make it worse.

In contrast, men tend to distract themselves from their depressive state — which has been shown to reduce the duration of symptoms. Additional psychological factors that tend to affect women over men are negative body images and stress-induced depression. Women are more prone to stress than men because their increased levels of progesterone have been shown to prevent stress hormones from leveling out. Negative body image issues usually begin in adolescence and seem to be correlated with the onset of puberty in women. Social Causes Coping skills, choice of relationships, and lifestyle choices affect women differently than men.

As a woman, you are more likely to develop depression from marital or relationship problems, work-life balance issues, financial troubles, and stressful life events, including the loss of a loved one. In addition to the biological, psychological, and social causes of depression mentioned above, the National Institutes of Health indicate the following are also increased risk factors of depression in women:.

Signs and symptoms of depression vary from woman to woman. Some of the most common signs and symptoms are listed below:. If you are a woman and suffering from depression, it is best to seek treatment right away to improve your quality of life. Your first course of action should be a visit to your doctor or mental health professional. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions and perform tests to rule out an underlying medical condition causing your depression or determine if certain medications might be to blame for your depressed mental state.

Your primary care doctor will also ask you a number of questions about your symptoms — how long they have lasted, when they started, the severity of your symptoms, how persistent they are re-occurrence rate , and your family history of depression. If your doctor suspects you may be suffering from depression, he or she will refer you to a mental health specialist who can formally diagnose your condition and make recommendations for treatment.

The most common treatment options for women suffering from depression include medications and therapy.

Other behaviors in men that could be signs of depression — but not recognized as such — include:. Because these behaviors could be signs of or might overlap with other mental health issues, professional help is the key to an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Although women attempt suicide more often than men do, men are more likely to complete suicide. Asking for help can be hard for men. But without treatment, depression is unlikely to go away, and it may get worse.

Untreated depression can make you and the people close to you miserable. It can cause problems in every aspect of your life, including your health, career, relationships and personal safety. Depression, even if it's severe, usually improves with medications or psychological counseling psychotherapy or both.

If you or someone close to you thinks you may be depressed, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. It's a sign of strength to ask for advice or seek help when you need it. Treatment with a doctor or mental health professional can help you learn healthy coping skills. Many effective treatments are available for depression.

So don't try to tough out male depression on your own — the consequences could be devastating. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

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Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms

Understanding the issues Male depression is a serious medical condition, but many men try to ignore it or refuse treatment. By Mayo Clinic Staff. References Men and depression. National Institute of Mental Health.

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Accessed May 4, Scholz B, et al. Men's discourses of depression. Accessed May 3, McDowell AK, et al. Practical suicide-risk management for the busy primary care physician. Proudfoot J, et al. Positive strategies men regularly use to prevent and manage depression: A national survey of Australian men. Gagnon M, et al. Male depression and suicide: What NPs should know.

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Suicidal ideation and behavior in adults.

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