Depression affects women at twice the rate it affects men. Genetic factors, hormones, cognitive and coping styles, pregnancy, and various life and trauma factors may underlie this discrepancy. Not only are more women affected by the disorder, but they are at additional risk of developing comorbid and secondary medical problems.
Increased Risk of Obesity and Substance Abuse
A research study published in the September/October 2009 issue of the "General Archives of Psychiatry" reports that women in a longitudinal community-based sample who had a major depressive episode at age 27 had a three-fold increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder by age 30. Additionally, women who were obese at age 27 were more than twice as likely to be depressed by age 30. Rumination has been linked to depression and this ruminative style of thinking may predispose depressed women to cope by overeating and drinking alcohol excessively.
Heart Disease
Depression increases a woman's risk of coronary heart disease two- to three-fold. There is some evidence to suggest that recurrent depression is more strongly related to heart disease than a single episode. Based on the results of a 2005 study in the "Archives of Internal Medicine", women with a history of recurrent major depressive disorder are at significantly increased risk of developing coronary and aortic calcifications (a precursor to coronary heart disease) compared to women with no history of depression.
Bone Density Loss
Women with a history of depression have been found to have a bone density of 10 to 15 percent less than the average for their age, increasing the likelihood of broken bones. A 2009 study in "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism" posits that depression causes bone loss and osteoporotic fractures through its effect on the immune and endocrine systems. Poor lifestyle habits and certain antidepressants may also contribute to this effect.
Emotional Effects
Depression causes a number of emotional effects in women, including feelings of persistent sadness and emptiness, hopelessness and helplessness, loss of pleasure and interest in activities, irritability and restlessness, and difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
Women may also develop suicidal thoughts as a consequence of their depression, although depressed women are less likely to die from suicide than depressed men. Antidepressants can increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors, although the risk of suicidal behaviors while on antidepressants may decrease with age.
Physical Effects
Women may also develop a host of physical symptoms caused by depression, including fatigue and decreased energy; sleep disturbances, including insomnia, hypersomnia, or difficulties falling or staying asleep; aches, pains, and other somatic problems; and weight loss or gain.
References
- "General Hospital Psychiatry;" Longitudinal associations among depression, obesity and alcohol use disorders in young adulthood; McCarty CA et al.; September/October 2009
- "Archives of Internal Medicine;" Coronary and aortic calcification in women with a history of major depression; Agatisa PK et al.; June 13, 2005
- "Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism;" Depression as a risk factor for osteoporosis; Cizza G. et al.; October 2009
