73 millions of women are diagnosed every year all over the world with depression and anxiety
According to data from the National Health Survey, one in four women is at risk of having a mental health problem. This supposes the 25% of the female population, compared to the 14% suffered by men. Issues related to mental health have always treated women as if they were men, without taking into account the realities, patterns and roles imposed both historically and socially.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), women are more likely to develop anxiety y depressive episodes throughout his life than men. According to WHO data, around 73 millions of women are diagnosed every year worldwide. Furthermore, Suicide is the seventh cause of death among women from 20 to 59 years.
What makes women more likely to have a mental disorder during their life?
The answer, in part, may be due to factors biological, Hormonal, genetic, psychological y social rights of women. Throughout the life of a woman there are hormonal fluctuations that inevitably interfere in the chemistry of the brain responsible for regulating emotions and mood (menstruation, pregnancy, abortions, menopause ...) Besides, there is also a genetic predisposition. Despite equally affecting men and women, studies suggest that the existence of a history of depression in the family environment makes women more prone to develop the condition of emotional disturbances throughout their lives.
Pregnancy
El pregnancy it can act as an enhancer of the alterations of the emotional system of the woman. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the new responsibility of taking care of the newborn can be overflowing. All these factors can cause sadness, irritability, apathy and other sensations that can lead to suffering depression. The lactation It can also influence this process. The frustrations of a poor adaptation to breastfeeding, presión for adequately feeding the baby and the impotence of not being able to control that situation, leads many women to fall into stress situations that lead to the call Postpartum depression.
Menopause
At menopause something similar happens with the Physical changes y psychological that influence the Women's mood. Menopause is a stage in a woman's life in which many hormonal changes. All this causes unstable mood states similar to those experienced during adolescence. Therefore, a large number of women may experience depressive symptoms and mood disturbances.
Social role
El role of women in society It can also influence your susceptibility to depression. Mother, wife, caregiver, besides the Work and family pressures, can increase the Stress, and prolonged stress leads to depression. Many women who work outside the home assume most of the domestic responsibilities. Also face the challenges of motherhood without a partner, or attend to sick or elderly relatives. Situations that lead to a physical and emotional overload difficult to cope with.
Violence
But undoubtedly a worrying fact is that 75% of women with mental health problems have suffered violence in the family or sentimental environment at some point in his life and, in addition, more than 40% has suffered sexual violence. The relationship between gender violence and mental health reveals once again the need to offer specialized resources and assess women's mental health problems as a social duty.
Recognize depression and seek treatment
Although it seems that the depression It's overwhelming, there are effective treatments. Even severe depression is often treated with successful results. If you are in that situation, seek help and go to an appropriate professional. Remember, depression is very common and has treatment. If you think you are depressed, do not hesitate to seek help.
