Depression in women: why are women more at risk?

One in five people will experience depression throughout one’s life and women are the most affected, especially in the prime of life between puberty and menopause. Hormonal but also sociocultural factors could explain this female discomfort.

Depression is a mood disorder which affects one in five people. It is defined by the DSM V, reference manual in psychiatry. “Depression is characterized by great sadnessa loss of interest and vitalitydifficulty projecting oneself into the future and feelings of guilt (most often very disabling) as well as a withdrawal into oneself », According to Johanna Rozenblum, psychologist. Of the signs of depression are not to be taken lightly. After two weeks in this state, psychiatrists are already talking about a characterized depressive episode.

In women, depressive syndromes are more frequent and more noticeable than in men. There depression in the feminine would also be characterized by atypical manifestations as mentioned by psychiatrists Lucie Joly and Hugo Bottemanne in their work Depression in women :

“These presentations can sometimes delay the diagnosis, because they are less immediately identified as ‘classic’ depression,” specifies Dr. Lucie Joly.

And the authors specify that: “Echoing the menstrual rhythm, the winter forms (seasonal depression), linked to changes in light and temperature, are also more frequent in women, as if biological and weather cycles jointly impact the female brain. »

But whether in women or men, untreated depression is just as exposed to risk of suicide and a progressive deterioration of daily life. The socio-professional damage is sometimes considerable. It is therefore better to consult a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist before things get worse. “Depression requires psychotherapy. When symptoms are severe, a drug treatment combining antidepressants and sometimes anxiolytics can be used,” explains Johanna Rozenblum.

In their work Depression in womenpsychiatrists Lucie Joly and Hugo Bottemanne, regret that “each year, between 8 and 16% of women aged 18 to 50 experience depression, and this figure rises to around 20% for pregnant women or in the postpartum period”. Mental health professionals can attest to this since the fairer sex willingly consults them when things get out of hand:

Psychiatrist Lucie Joly adds that: “Women are also more exposed to certain risky life events, such as insecurity, isolation or over-responsibility at home, which increases their overall vulnerability.”

For psychologist Johanne Rozenblumthere is more depression diagnosed in women. However, we are not sure that men do not suffer from depressive disorders as much as they do not verbalize. “If there are more suicide attempts among women, there are more completed suicides among men. These attempts on the part of women are often cries for help made with medication. As for men, they are unfortunately more likely to use firearms or hanging, which are radical means,” explains Johanna Rozenblum.

Women are diagnosed better than men, ok, but diagnosed depression is still far from being in the majority. Psychiatrists and authors Lucie Joly and Hugo Bottemanne deplore in their recent book “that only 50% of women suffering from depression are diagnosed, the first step in considering recovery”.

If depression is so specific in women, it is firstly because it is explained by hormonal factors. Female hormones (what are estrogen and progesterone) increase sensitivity to the environment from puberty.

Mood variations are observed throughout the menstrual cycle and generally, the period before your period is not the rosiest. Anger, anxiety, fatigue… The premenstrual syndrome is, for some, a real hell (when it is not those around them who are toasting).

Lucie Joly and Hugo Bottemanne also mention the existence of a premenstrual dysphoric disorder which would affect some women. This is a tenfold form of premenstrual syndrome with a anxiety-depressive state particularly heavy: “The brutality of the symptoms intensely handicaps the women who suffer from them, impacting their professional, romantic and family lives.” The authors remind us that in the event of depression we must also look towards the thyroid hormones and in particular think about a possible hypothyroidism.

The birth of a child can bring as much joy… as anxiety! Pregnancy can sometimes be experienced as a real upheaval: fear of becoming a parent, uncertainties, relationship difficulties within the couple, separation… Everything is not rosy for pregnant women. The weeks following childbirth (post-partum) are often the most complicated due to hormonal changes and emotions associated with the arrival of a toddler. Sometimes depression and anxiety completely overshadow the expected enthusiasm. “These periods of hormonal transition correspond to real windows of psychological vulnerability, which require particular vigilance,” underlines psychiatrist Lucie Joly.

The menopause is a pivotal period on the hormonal level: from the perimenopauseestrogen levels begin to decrease in the body. Some women begin to notice low morale and mood swings which add to the difficulty of other symptoms such as weight gain, increased appetite, hot flashes and fatigue.

Let us add that menopause is difficult for some to “endure”: no more ovulation, no more periods, no more pregnancy and a feeling of visibly aging. A feeling that men do not experience (andropause being less systematic and non-symptomatic).

Indeed, the figures concerning physical and sexual violence against women are alarming. The victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly women (source 1). Worldwide, it is estimated that one in three women has already been a victim of physical or sexual violence. THE women victims of violence are twice as likely to experience a depressive episode during their lifetime.

Another observation: gender inequalities have not completely disappeared. Social status, resources… we are still far from perfect equality despite the efforts made. The figures speak for themselves: in 2022, women would earn on average 23.5% less in salary income than men.

Let us add that many women testify to enduring a charge mentale very important. And yes ladies, from now on, starting a family should not prevent you from being independent. Although this has many advantages, it is also necessary that household chores be shared within the household, which is not always the case.

Finally, the beauty dictates lock certain women into a series of constraints that are as costly as they are demanding. It is also demonstrated that the feeling of body dissatisfaction (more common in women), sometimes going as far as dysmorphophobiecan lead to depression or even suicidal thoughts. Ultimately, remaining a beautiful, independent mother can be more enslaving than you might think.

It is well known that women are more likely to show signs of negativity than men. They do not miss problems and they even tend to analyze, procrastinate and ruminate until exhaustion. Let us add that “corumination” (that is to say the act of rehashing negative ideas during a discussion) is more common among women and sometimes as early as adolescence.

Today, the treatment of depression tends to evolve towards a more individualized approach, taking into account the life course and the vulnerabilities specific to each person.