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Women and Depression Essay

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Depression is the most common mental health disorder; it affects over 17 million American adults each year. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by at least four symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, weight, and psychomotor activity; decreased energy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt; difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions; or recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation, thoughts or attempts. “Women are approximately two times more likely than men to suffer from major depression” (Research Agenda for Psychosocial and Behavioral Factors in Women’s Health, 1996) and it has been called the most significant mental health risk for women. Women are more likely to suffer from depression during marriage …show more content…

Nothing brings relief from the existential torture.” (Depression, 1997). Everyone is subject to sadness or melancholy moods especially after tragic events such as death, dissolution of a personal relationship, or economic hardship; these feelings are normal. It is a prolonged sense of these feeling and being unable to process past them that a more serious form of depression has taken hold. The damage caused by the emotional and mental effects of depression can be far reaching from hurting and pushing away friends and family, destroying careers, and can even result in death by suicide.(Depression, 1997). Depression not only takes a toll on a person mentally and emotionally but physically as well. Depression can cause chronic physical pain. Depression can cause: Fatigue or loss of energy, sleep disruptions, eating disturbances, inappropriate or excessive crying, headaches, back pain, muscle aches and joint pain, chest pain, and digestive problems. Sleeping disruptions and weight loss or gain add to the cycle of depression. Physical pain causes someone suffering from depression to have a less likely chance to move around more and help to naturally stimulate the body which would help in releasing serotonin and endorphins . “Depression, like heart disease and cancer, is a major public-health problem” (Depression, 1997). Depression can also be more predisposed to some than others especially if: there is a family history of depression

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