Women experience
depression about twice as often as men.1 Many hormonal factors
may contribute to the increased rate of depression in women-particularly
such factors as menstrual cycle changes, pregnancy, miscarriage,
postpartum period, pre-menopause, and menopause. Many women
also face additional stresses such as responsibilities both
at work and home, single parenthood, and caring for children
and for aging parents.
A recent NIMH study showed that in the case of severe Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS), women with a preexisting vulnerability to
PMS experienced relief from mood and physical symptoms when
their sex hormones were suppressed. Shortly after the hormones
were re-introduced, they again developed symptoms of PMS. Women
without a history of PMS reported no effects of the hormonal
manipulation.
Many women are also particularly vulnerable after the birth
of a baby. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the
added responsibility of a new life, can be factors that lead
to postpartum depression in some women. While transient "blues"
are common in new mothers, a full-blown depressive episode is
not a normal occurrence and requires active intervention. Treatment
by a sympathetic physician and the family's emotional support
for the new mother are prime considerations in aiding her to
recover her physical and mental well-being and her ability to
care for and enjoy the infant.
|
