Women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men. One in four women can expect to develop clinical depression during their lifetime. Clinical depression can occur in any woman, and can be serious enough to lead to suicide, regardless of age, race or income. The good news is that clinical depression is a treatable medical illness.

FACTS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

	Approximately seven million women in the US currently have diagnosable clinical depression.
	Only one out of every three women who experience clinical depression will ever seek care.
	Married women have higher rates of depression than unmarried women, with rates peaking during the childbearing years.
	Depression occurs most frequently in women 25 to 44 years of age.
	Girls entering puberty are twice as prone to depression as boys.
	Elderly women experience depression more often than elderly men.
	Depression is the number one cause of disability in women.
	Research shows a strong relationship between eating disorders and depression.
	Almost 15 percent of all those suffering from severe depression will commit suicide.

WHY ARE WOMEN AT INCREASED RISK FOR DEPRESSION?

	Biological differences (hormonal changes and genetic factors) in women may contribute to depression.
	Social reasons may also lead to higher rates of clinical depression among women. These factors include greater stresses from work and family responsibilities, the roles and expectations of women, and increased rates of sexual abuse and poverty.

WOMEN’S ATTITUDES TOWARD DEPRESSION

According to a recent National Mental Health Association survey on the public’s attitudes and beliefs about clinical depression:

	More than one-half of women surveyed believe it is “normal” for a woman to be depressed during menopause.
	More than one-half of women surveyed believe depression is a normal part of aging.
	More than one-half of women surveyed cited denial as a barrier to treatment.
	Forty one percent of women surveyed cited embarrassment or shame as barriers to treatment.

LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS OF CLINICAL DEPRESSION

No two people experience clinical depression in the same manner. Symptoms will vary in severity and duration among different people. See your doctor if you experience five or more of the following symptoms for more than two weeks*:

	Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
	Sleeping too little, especially early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
	Reduced appetite and/or weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
	Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, including sex
	Restlessness, irritability
	Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, chronic pain or digestive disorders.
	Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
	Fatigue or loss of energy
	Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
	Thoughts of suicide or death
* (As a first step, a thorough physical examination may be recommended to rule out other illnesses.)

Source: National Mental Health Association, 1998.

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