Men and women are both vulnerable to depression. However, they may be susceptible to different risk factors. This is due to both biological and social differences in the way men and women are treated.
In general, women are more likely to suffer from depression. Women may have an easier time asking for help. But they also face some unique challenges that can cause higher rates of depression.
Why are women at a higher risk for this mental health condition? Let’s explore some of the most prevalent risk factors for depression amongst women and examine why these risk factors have such a detrimental impact on women’s mental health.
Hormonal Changes
Women go through several significant hormonal changes over their lifetimes. Puberty, pregnancy and the postpartum period, peri-menopause, and menopause are all characterized by dramatic changes in hormone levels.
Furthermore, women who menstruate will notice hormonal shifts over the course of a given month that can easily contribute to mood swings and changes in their energy levels.
This is not to say that women who are going through these changes are only experiencing strong emotions due to hormones. However, hormones can have profound effects on one’s mental health, and hormonal changes can be a risk factor for depression.
Negative Body Image
Women are often bombarded with unrealistic body image expectations. Today, women may feel these pressures more acutely because of the highly edited images on social media.
Unfortunately, women often feel these pressures most acutely during puberty, while pregnant or after giving birth, and when they enter menopause. These biological changes, combined with the intense social pressure to look a certain way, can contribute to symptoms of depression.
Social Pressures and Relationships
Relationships take work. Both men and women can end up struggling with depression if they are in unhealthy relationships or feel isolated from others. But women often bear the burden of emotional labor in their relationships.
They may feel like their efforts are not always appreciated, and that the hard work they put in is not noticed or valued. Women have far more independence today than in previous generations. Yet, lots of women still feel trapped in unhealthy relationships because they depend on their partners financially.
Poor Work-Life Balance
Today, lots of people work long hours to make ends meet. But in addition to working full-time, lots of women also shoulder the “second shift.” After coming home from a long day at work, women in heterosexual partnerships often spend more time than their male partners on childcare, housework, and other domestic obligations.
Furthermore, women are often responsible for doing other necessary work that goes unseen, like remembering doctor’s appointments, sending out holiday cards, and more. These extra responsibilities can add up, and women who feel stretched thin by these tasks can easily end up dealing with depression.
Poverty
Poverty can lead to chronic stress and increase one’s risk of developing depression. Both low-income men and women face some of the same stressors. However, women are more likely than men to live in poverty. They make less on average.
They are also more likely to end up in financially vulnerable positions. Women are more likely to be single parents. On top of this, women who have to escape abusive relationships may find themselves without any financial safety after leaving their partner.
Not only are women in poverty particularly vulnerable to depression, they also struggle to get the help they need due to cost barriers.
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