Do you consider depression as a sign of weakness? That could explain why the official rate of depression in women is twice that of men. Men experience depression in the same way that women do. But to avoid being viewed as weak or vulnerable, men do not acknowledge the hopelessness or feelings of negativity. Depression manifests itself in a much different manner. There are more complaints of fatigue and sleeping problems, and very often, a disinterest in normal everyday activities. In worse cases, it may result in violence, aggressive behavior, substance abuse and, if left unmanaged, even suicide.
Women experience much higher rates of depression mostly due to the hormone factor. The hormonally-caused or initiated depression can be extremely overwhelming and may not be easily recognized by the individual experiencing it. With four categories of depression rooted in hormonal balance (or lack thereof), women find themselves needing more than just mental assistance. With the intensity of the symptoms spanning a huge range from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) to premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) to postpartum and perimenopausal depression, women face a lifelong battle with this condition. Very often, women will need medical assistance to manage and control the symptoms.
In females, the symptoms can expand from sadness and indifference to sleeping excessively, overeating, weight gain and guilt. Regardless of the 2:1 factor, men are more likely to experience a tendency towards suicide, but women who are trapped in the darkness of postpartum depression can also experience an emptiness that not only threatens her, but also her baby.
If you are feeling those symptoms, or you notice a change in someone close to you, don’t wait until something terrible happens. Get help immediately. You could save a life.