Depression: Factors that Employ a Woman - Essay Example

?Depression is just a woman’s thing. Discuss. Introduction Human beings have always suffered from depression because of certain problems encountered in life. Depression is psychologically. Depression occurs in the human mind. Hence, once the mind is affected negatively, depression normally occurs. It is a mental condition with a clinical connotation. The good news about depression is that it can be cured, with the help of a clinical psychologist. Depression is basically a human phenomenon because all the causes and symptoms can only be attributed to man. Animals do not have mind and therefore cannot suffer from mental sickness. They are only liable to biological sickness, and this can be properly taken care of by the veterinary doctors. Because of the presence of the mind, man can suffer from depression. In this study, we are going to look into the meaning of depression with an attempt to probe the causes, as well as the symptoms. We are also going to look at certain factors that determine depression as well as how it occurs in the two genders; male and female. What is depression? Depression is a period when one feels sad and anxious with symptoms such as extreme sadness and lack of sleep. It is normal for a person to feel sad or disappointed in life. This is not something that should give one a major concern, but something is really wrong when such feelings exceed more than two weeks. (What is depression? 2005). It becomes a sign that someone is suffering from depression. Hence, temporary feeling of sadness cannot be called depression because it does not have a medical concern, but major depression is something that needs a medical attention. This is because of its drastic effect on the whole person both psychologically and physically. In Britain, 1 out of 4 people experiences depression in any given year. This is the statistics that is commonly quoted in the United Kingdom. It has the most research evidence which is largely supported by a study published in 1980, and updated in 1992. The statistics received a further support from the result of all the three Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys. Below is a breakdown of the treatment which those who experience mental health in the United Kingdom will seek and get 300 people out of every 1,000 will experience depression in Britain 230 of these number will visit GP 102 of these are likely to be diagnosed as having mental problems 24 of these people will get a referral to a specialist psychiatric hospital 6 will become patients that are fully admitted to in psychiatric hospitals (mental health facts and statistics, 2003). Symptoms of depression According to the research carried out by the National Institute of Mental Health, people suffering from depression have various symptoms according to the severity of their depression. Some symptoms are more severe than others. How long the depression lasts will equally affect the symptoms of the depressive disorder. How long depression will last in a person equally depends on how the person is ready to cope with treatments. Nonetheless, below are the common symptoms that characterize depression. Having difficulty in concentration, memory, and making decisions Feeling of fatigue and constant decrease in energy Feeling guilty, worthlessness, hopelessness, pessimism and helplessness Insomnia or difficulty to sleep, hypomania or an excessive sleeping, waking up early in the morning Feeling of irritability and restlessness Losing interest in activities or hobbies which one hitherto has interest. This might include sex Over-indulgence in eating or loss of appetite Total loss of pleasure Having a persistent aches or pains, having headaches, digestive problems or stomach aches especially the ones that do not ease even when treated Feeling of emptiness Persistent sadness Having a suicide attempt or constant thought of suicide These symptoms are not limited to depression since they could be symptoms of other disorders other than depression, but it must be admitted that generally, they are the common symptoms of depression. Causes of depression There are no generally accepted causes of depression. Nonetheless, there are various causes of depression according to various degrees. Multiple factors that can cause depression include biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Example, if one comes from a family lineage whose gene is prone to depression, he/she stands a better opportunity of suffering from depression more than the rest of humans. Again, a monozygotic twin also stands a chance of suffering from depression with his pair. This is hereditary. We hall discuss other factors in details in the subsequent pages. Apart from the aforementioned factors, other major causes of depression include certain neurological imbalance as a result of malfunction of neurotransmitters (that is chemical messengers) in the human brain. Such neurotransmitters in the brain include serotonin, norepinephrine, as well as dopamine. Antidepressants or things that repress depression work in two ways; by changing the receptors’ sensitivity or by making more available the neurotransmitters in the brain. Apart from bio-chemical and genetic factors, other undeniable factors that can increase the chances of depression are psychological. A person who has suffered from various psycho-social traumas is likely to suffer from depression more than the rest. Example, an individual with financial difficult is likely to suffer from depression more than one who is financially buoyant. This is because lack of money is capable of increasing the chances of anxiety which is capable of bringing about depression. The psychological factor of depression has a social undertone. Hence, social upheaval and imbalance is likely to increase depression in people. Countries with bad economy are likely to have more citizens with depression more than those with stable economy. Another major cause of depression is referred to as the social-evaluative threat. This threat cannot be completely overlooked in depression studies. The social-evaluative threat is the fear of the negative judgment which we receive from the public. As the name implies, it is the fear of uncertainty about the judgment or evaluation we receive from others. Example, a student who failed his examination in school is likely to hide such a result from people, especially his parents because of the blame he will receive. This sometimes lead to the inability to reveal whatever that is bordering us. This is the most acute cause of depression, and it is capable of making a person to die in silent. Depression in men and women It is very necessary to look at depression in special occasions. These include depression in men, women, elderly, children, and other classes of the human race. (Depression in special situations, 2005). This will help in discerning the degree of depression in the various categories of the human race. When depression appears in special situations, it might assume another curative dimension. This is because of the variety of depressions according to various satiations. Hence, the psycho-therapy method of curing depression in women might be quite different from the one which can be used in curing depression in men or even the elderly. The various categories of people have their peculiar world views and situations, which makes the curative principles of depression to be varied according to the various situations. Depression in men When men suffer from depression, it is always difficult for them to notice their depressed condition. Men have always been viewed as the strongest of the human species, and as a result, it should be expected that their response to depression should be more matured than women, considering the fact that women are the acclaimed weak species of the human race. When a man is depressed, he reacts to it in various manners such as being hostile to people around him, excessive aggressiveness, and irritability. These reactions are peculiar to the masculine nature. This counters women’s response to depression, which always makes them to be sad and emotional. Hence, men’s response to depression is always active while women’s depression is always passive. Symptoms of depression in men Symptoms of depression in men are similar with the symptoms of depression in men, but the variety lies in the manner both genders respond to it. The symptoms of depression that are common in men include Apathy Loss of appetite Loss of fatigue Loss of interest in sensual activities Having a low self esteem Complication of the sexual life which normally culminates to loss in sexual appetite Difficulty to sleep Thoughts of suicide These are the general symptoms of depression, which are also applicable to both sexes. Why depression in men commonly remains unrecognized? Normally, you can see men suffering from depression and other psychological disorders without recognizing it. This is one of the major masculine tendencies that have evaded the feminine. Several factors are responsible for this. Men have been regarded as the strong specie of the human race, and because of this, they tend to exhibit masculine qualities by being strong in their depressed situations. (Depression in men, 2005). This is certainly not expected from women since they are expected to be emotional in every given depressed situation. Emotional expression is largely a phenomenon that is thought to belong to women. Men react to situations rationally while women react emotionally. Depression in women It is a common belief that depression is common in women than men. In every group of women, about 25% will always suffer from depression. This can be attributed to various factors such as women being the weaker sex. Nonetheless, there are various ways through which depression in women differs from depression in men. Depression in women normally occurs earlier in their life. This can be attributed to various factors such as child abuse, rape, and other mishaps in which women are always victims. It also last longer than men because of their passive approach in handling depressions. Again, depression in women is likely to re-occur later in their life more than men. A perfect example is the case of rape where the ugly experience can arise again in the future in form of depressed thought and a total hatred for men. Depression in women tends to be more seasonal. It is also associated with various life events that appear to be too stressful Women have the greater propensity to commit suicide than men, even though records have shown that men commit more suicide than women. Depression in women has the greater propensity to be associated with various types of anxiety disorders especially eating disorders, panic, and phobia Depressed women are likely to engage in drug abuse and alcohol Symptoms of depression in women Persistent sadness, extreme anxiety and feeling of emptiness Loss of interest in sexual and other pleasurable activities Restlessness, crying excessively, and irritability Feeling of worthlessness, guilt, hopelessness, helplessness, and pessimism Too much feeling of feeling too little as well as rising up early in the morning Weight and appetite loss or weight gain or excessive eating Decrease in energy, being down casted and fatigue Thought of death or making suicide attempts Difficulty in concentration or remembrance/ loss of memory Physical systems such as headache and stomach pains, which sometimes do not respond to treatment Why is depression more common in women than men? Before the adolescence stage, depression rate is almost at the same rate in girls and boys. However, when both start to experience the puberty stage, the variation in the degree of depression becomes noticeable; women tend to have more depression more than men. A lot of factors are responsible for this. Hormonal change in women is the major cause of the increase of depression in women. These changes in hormone can cause depression in a woman throughout her lifetime. These changes are noticed during pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, and miscarriage. The upsurge of hormone that occurs in women every month is the major cause of depression. Hence depression during the period of menstruation is marked by anxiety and mood change which always lingers throughout the period. This is capable of hampering or interfering with the daily activities of a woman. What increases the possibility of depression in women? In a report released by the National Institutes of Health, the factors which are likely to increase the chance of depression in women are reproduction, gene, and biological factors. Others are interpersonal factors as well as psychological and other personality features. (Depression in women, 2005). In addition to this, women who are combining the maternal task of raising children with their professional career and work, and women who are single are likely to have more depression than the rest of women. Other factors that could increase the possibility of depression in women include the following Family history whose mood disorders is immanent The history of depression in the early years of reproduction Loosing one’s parent before the age of 10 Loosing social support or affection from the larger society Psycho-social stress such as loss of job, separation, divorce, and loss of job Physical or Sexual abuse during childhood Use of certain types of medication The gender statistics of the general factors that contribute to depression Biological factor Biologically, some people are prone to depression more than others. This could be as a result of family lineage. This means that depression runs in the gene of the family. This also suggests that depression is hereditary in such families. Hence, people whose generation or lineage can be traced back to such families are likely to have depression more than others. (R. Y. Langham, 2010). Somebody who has a relative with depression is likely to develop depression more than one who does not have such traits in his lineage. Nonetheless, one can still suffer from mood disorders even when there is no trace of family history. Other biological factors include the abnormal structure of the brain and brain chemistry. When one has a depression, the part of the brain that is responsible for sleeping, appetite, and other human activities ceases to function in a normal way. This abnormality in the brain function is the major reason why such people suffer from mood disorder. Considering the biological statistics in relation to the two genders, the female members of a family with mood disorder genes are more likely to be affected than men. This is because the male folk with such heredity can control it more than the females. Again, men tend to have stronger brain more than the female folk. Because of this, their response to mood disorder is more rational than women, which puts them in a special condition of dealing with depression more than women Nutritional factor Diet has a very significant role to play in depression. According to he findings of Solomon fellow and researches, low and unsubstantial intake of omega 3 fatty acids which is largely found in fish and other sources as well as fruits and vegetables are risk factors which could cause depression. It must be noted that these claims have not been validated. Furthermore, according to the report of the university of Maryland Medical Center, high content of omega 3fatty acid which are found in the brain are largely responsible for the behavioral as well as cognitive functions. (Alicia Miller, 2011). Furthermore, proteins are very important for growth, and they are made of amino acid, which is responsible for the nutritional functions of protein. Foods that contain protein include meat, fish, milk, and others. Excessive consumption of amino acid could lead to brain damage; a contributing factor of depression. (T. S. Sathyanarayana & co, 2008). Women tend to like milk, egg, meat and other forms of food that contain protein, which make it possible for them to be the endangered specie of depression. Psychological factor Depressed mood is basically a psychological phenomenon. Hence, whatever that happens to a depressed person takes place in the mind or brain. All other factors have their root in the psychological factor. People who are too sensitive to issues are described as being too nervous or emotional. When such people are confronted with life’s problem, they tend to react with negative feelings. Such reactions are described to be so volatile. People who are confronted by life’s challenges always try to give up any hope of solution or even try to run away from the problem. (Psychological causes of depression, 2004). This is a very wrong defense mechanism with which people react to negative issues. The depression which this group of people suffers can best be categorized in the psychological factor of depression. It must be noted that solving problems is a rational issue and not emotional. Hence, people ought to use thinking in proffering solutions to problems rather than the emotions. People with the above reactions to problems of life are more likely to suffer from depression and stress. This is because when they could not find any rational solution to a problem, stress and depression become eminent. Women are more likely to face psychological depression than men because following the above analogy, their approach to issues of life is more emotional rather than rational. When a woman is faced with life challenges, the result is always passive reactions without any thought of dealing with the problem. Men have a different approach because they are always in a quest to proffer lasting solutions to any problem. Sociological factor Some social phenomenon can be a contributing factor to stress and depression. The sociological factor of depression is majorly based on interpersonal relationship which is imperative. Man is a social being, and as such, he cannot live without others. Socrates said that a person who does not need the other is either a god or a beast. This means that man is a being that is condemned to live in the society. The interpersonal relationship could be a family relationship, mutual friendship, workplace, and any institution where human interaction must exist. (Gregory S Beattie, 2005). In the social factor of depression, the family is the most visible. The reason could be that the family is the nucleus of the society, and as a result, it ought to be expected that much depression could be emanated from the family. Example, family pressure could lead to depression. For the spouses, pressures that come from divorce, separation, or family issues could lead to depression. Under this condition, the reactions of the husband, wife, and their children are always different from each other. Hence, family pressure is one of the contributing factors to depression. Other social niches that can cause depression include the workplace, school, religious institutions, and so on. Others include distinction of social class and ethnicity. These are social factors that could result to mood disorder in a person. . Environmental factor Environmental factors of depression are connected with factors that are outside of man. (Environmental causes of depression, 2013). These factors do not have any relationship with the brain function, neither are they inherited traits from our parents or medical illness. Rather, environmental factors of depression are the result of the everyday events of our lives. These events have ways of affecting the mood either positively or negatively. The environmental factor has a combination of both the social factor and psychological factor. This is because events which take place in our environments are social events and they have ways of affecting the mind. The environmental factor has more lasting effect on women than men because naturally, women have always been the victims of environmental circumstances. This could be the reason why much legislation is geared towards the protection of women and children. Cultural factor Cultural influence could affect the mood. This could be as a result of cultural pressures. It must be noted that the cultural factor of depression is an extension of the social factor because cultural events are social. But the slight different is the dedicated study of culture variables. A novel branch of medicine has been founded with the name, ethnomedicine. This is a branch of medicine that studies the role of culture in shaping one’s perception and mental health. (Rashmi Nemade & co, 1995). Above all, postpartum depression is the most tragic effect of culture on women. (Bina R, The impact of cultural factors upon postpartum depression: a literature review) In some African cultures, women are more depressed than men due to pressure from the norms of the people. Women are the victims of certain cultural practices, and as a result, their moods are affected negatively due to the pressures that come from such ugly practices. Women always feel depressed in a society where men are free to sleep with women as they like, but when women attempts same, it is considered to be a prostitution. And hence, it becomes a taboo. Certain burial rites are targeted at women especially when a woman looses her husband. Women are meant to undergo certain cultural practices which help in adding to the trauma of loosing their husband. Such ugly practices include forcing a widow to drink the water used in washing her husband’s corpse in other to prove her innocence, shaving her hair as a visible sign of mourning, and other obnoxious rituals and practices that are inimical to health. Hence, what women pass through in some cultures is capable of making them to have mood disorder. Inequality factor and poverty It is a clear and distinct fact that inequality in life, poverty, class, and other related factors can cause depression. In every society, the poverty stricken masses are more depressed than the rich. This could be attributed to socio-economic factors. According to the Gallup survey which was carried out recently, 30.9% of people who live below poverty level are diagnosed to be with depression whereas only a paltry 15% of the entire population is diagnosed with depression (Anna Klenke, 2012). Nonetheless, women are more vulnerable to poverty more than men. This is because of women’s dependency on men for livelihood. Social inequality has a way of increasing stress in people. This is more evident especially in a society where competition for status is very rife. The unfortunates of the society feel that their self worth and status in the society are threatened because of the social gap between the rich and the poor. This psychological threat is capable of causing depression. In such a society, there is a high drive to acquire more money and consumerism. This drive is not because the person needs more money to solve his problems, but because having more money is the only way one’s social status can increase. Depression is truly more evident in women more than men Following the above analysis and other empirical evidences in the society, it is no doubt that women are more prone to depression than men. The major factor that summarizes this is that women have always been the weaker sex. The truthfulness of this assertion can be supported by the place of women in the society and the roles which they are expected to play. The roles which are assigned to women in the society make them to be more inclined to depression more than men. Nonetheless, it must be admitted that the above assertion does not in anyway reduce the possibility of a man being severely plagued by depression Conclusion Because women are more depressed than men, it logically follows that men are more capable of coping with stress. This is an undisputable factor. It is a glaring fact also that the high level of depression in women have always been their unfortunate place in the history of the human race. The fact that women are more inclined towards depression is more of a social issue rather than a psychological issue. There is no psychological evident to prove that women have weaker mind than men. The major prove against the assertion that women have weaker mind than men is the fact that some women are more powerful than men. Because of this singular evident, it is erroneous to make a conclusion that women are weaker, which logically implies that men are stronger, for if women are weaker, and men are stronger, we cannot continue to see women who are even stronger than men both psychologically, physically, and otherwise. The fact of women having more connection with depression is because their place in the society through out the ages is quite unfortunate. The paternalistic system of most societies both ancient and modern supports the fact of male domination, which is the underlying principle behind woman’s depression. The paternalistic system of most society has condemned women to their unfortunate state in the society, which naturally transforms to stress and depression. The role which women are expected to play in the society is the major contributing factor to woman’s depression. Other factors; biological, psychological, environmental, and others have their root in the place of women in the society. 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Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18569045 [Accessed, 13/1/2013] Klenke A., depression; an epidemic among the poverty-stricken, 2012, Available at http://www.care2.com/causes/depression-an-epidemic-among-the-poverty-stricken.html [Accessed, 13/1/2012] Read More