But it is not just the biological changes that a woman must deal with that affects their propensity to depression. There are the cultural and social pressures that make up such a large part of a woman’s existence that also greatly influence this. A woman is more likely to have more responsibilities than her male counterpart. In a married situation she is expected to have a job outside the home, care of the children and the household and still be ready, willing and able to care for her husband’s needs in the bedroom while all the time keeping herself fresh and beautiful. She is expected to maintain an attractive demeanor and all the time not worry about what she needs for herself. The pressures of maintaining this facade can be enormous often becoming too much to deal with.

This does not count the ever growing number of women who are single mothers. So they still have a job and household to run, but now there is no one to share any of the responsibilities with and they must work harder to support their children. All too often they are coming out of a relationship where there has been some type of abuse. All these circumstances together easily explain why more than just biological causes can be at the root of the depression suffered by women.

When you look at the things that women must deal with equal pay for equal work is a consideration that is not a reality. Women work very hard for the money they take home almost always earning less than men in the same position. Overall women earn less. This can be even worse for a woman who is part of a visible minority. These things can contribute to a poor self image.

Add to this lower income the pressures of caring for children and perhaps an elderly unwell parent and still the women carries on. She must work to support them all and still be able to come home to cook, clean and help her children with their homework. Clearly all the stresses in a woman’s life make it even more likely that she will deal with depression at some time during her life. Add to that the possibility that she will have the chemical imbalance that so many depressives deal with and it becomes more obvious why women are more likely to be depressives.

Others refuse to seek help because they do not want to find themselves dependent on medication. They believe that it is wrong to rely on something artificial to make them feel better. There are worries about happy pills correcting their problem. First, any medical condition can require medication to be stabilized. With this philosophy diabetics would not use insulin and those who are farsighted would never get glasses so they can see well. The medications that depressives are put on are anything but happy pills. They do not have that affect. They are prescription drugs that are made to rebalance the chemicals in one’s body that are out of sync and so cause these difficult episodes.

The medical profession itself is sometimes at fault. They make it so difficult to get help. Sometimes it is as simple as odd office hours or as complex as what the health insurance companies will cover and what the depressive must pay for. Other times it is based on having bad experiences with health care providers and so being reluctant to return to them. If this is the case the depressive must find himself or herself a doctor they are more comfortable with. This can be another complication with many health insurance companies.

Another complication can be that a portion of depressives are homeless and so feel unable to get medical care, They rely instead on visits to the emergency room if things get really bad. Sometimes they are lucky enough to find a free clinic that will prescribe for them but then they cannot afford the medication. Some depressives are illiterate and therefore are unable to learn enough about what they are suffering from for them to understand what it is and how it can be helped. They are ignorant of their own plight.

Then there are those that just do not think it is worth making the effort to get help. It is not that they are happy where they are. They are not comfortable in their depressive state. They just figure it is too much trouble to change it and that it is likely that they would not be able to anyway.

The most important thing to do is to remain normal in how you relate to them. Keep your relationship the same do not change the way you behave because the person is having difficulties. Try to help contain some of the negative thinking the person is experiencing without being overly critical. Try to keep it from seeming that you disapprove of their behavior, since you do not, you are just concerned. Let the person know that you understand that they are having a difficult time.

Always make sure that you have some nice words to say. Do not offer empty compliments as they will only be looked on as suspicious. But if you can have some nice things to say they could never hurt. If the relationship you have is one that has affection exchanged between the two of you do not stop that part of your relationship if at all possible. Affection is a much needed part of any person’s life. The most important thing is to remain consistent in your relationship. Do not make any major changes if you can avoid it. Remain respectful, show you are concerned. Do not back away. That would be devastating to someone in a depressive episode.

You need to avoid laying blame on the depressive for their condition. They are no more at fault then the person who is diabetic or blind. During one of these episodes you must not be overly critical, do not make the depressive feel put down by those who are important to them. Try to help them feel good about themselves. A depressive episode is a difficult time and self esteem is usually at a real low during this time. The person will feel unimportant and worthless as they sink to a self image of someone incompetent and useless. Do not feed this feeling but try to bring them out of it.

It can be a big responsibility to be someone who is involved with a person who lives with depression in their daily lives. You need to be able to give of yourself, without losing yourself, as well as to be able to live your life to the most normal you can. Be supportive, be a good listener. That is what the depressive needs.

Most bad depressive episodes pass with the support of those close to the person having the problem. But a great many of those who suffer from depression are always in a state of difficulty and making sure they take their medication and see their councilor is as important as being there to support them.

St. John’s Wort does the same thing only it does so naturally. St John’s Wort is a plant that is also called hypericum perforatum. From this plant comes hypericin and that is the part that is known to have positive effects for those suffering from depression or anxiety. In studies conducted using St. John’s Wort with one group and antidepressants with another it was found that those who used just St. John’s Wort had at least as much relief from symptoms of depression as did those using prescription medications. They also tended to have fewer side effects. Unfortunately since researchers are often reluctant to push natural remedies so far all the studies done have been short term and with small groups of patients. Still the results have been continually positive. Other studies have been conducted with the older types of antidepressants and here again the natural method came out on top with fewer side effects and as good control. The thing that bothers both researchers and health care providers is that they do not completely understand how or why it works. It is believed that it somehow affects the serotonin, noradrenaline or dopamine absorption not unlike the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in antidepressants.

Like anything new introduced into the body one must be cautious. There are also possible reactions even to natural remedies. So, before deciding to take St, John’s Wort you should talk briefly to your health care provider. This is especially necessary if you are taking medication for any other preexisting condition. It’s possible that the two will not mix well. Very few people have other side effects from this natural remedy but if they do it is usually a temperature sensitivity or rarely a sensitively to the sun.

Another thing that bothers health care providers about their patients using natural remedies is that they feel that those who work in the stores that sell them tend to give advice on dosage without benefit from any medical training and this worries them. So, if you want to try a natural remedy for depression talking to your health care provider should always be a first step. They may not agree with your choice but they will give you guidelines on dosages. That advice and some research on your own should help you to decide if trying St. John’s Wort is a good idea for you.

The thyroid has several hormones. They are T3, T4, TSH and prolactin. Depending on if the functioning is too high or your function is too low you will be given medication to treat this condition. The problem is that sometimes the medication to make a person’s thyroid function properly can aggravate or even cause depression. It obviously causes some type of hormonal imbalance. Sometimes the best way to combat this is to give two different thyroid medications together. These would be the combination of T3 and T4 hormones. A small maintenance dose is better because too much thyroid medication can cause trembling, form clots, aggravate a bad temper or cause an irregular heartbeat.

But the interesting part of this is that studies have shown that the thyroid hormone known as T3 can be used to take care of depression that is not caused only by thyroid dysfunction. The fact is that depression is caused by improper absorption by the brain of serotonin. It is when the levels in the brain of norepinephrine and the neurotransmitters get out of sync. They become too low and so the brain sounds out messages of not being happy. T3 alone, or with an antidepressant can solve this problem. Since it is known that depression can be caused by a thyroid condition most health care providers should do the thyroid test before looking at other causes of depression. If the thyroid is dysfunctional then there is a simple fix. Physicians need to be careful which thyroid medication they prescribe. Depression will appear whether the patient has too little or too much thyroid function. T4 is known to make a person’s depression worse and so if it is T4 they need to give their patient it must be accompanied by T3. Overall thyroid dysfunction, when the person has not yet fallen into the depressive state, can go unnoticed for a while.

One other problem when dealing with depression and thyroids is that you can wind up in a vicious circle of depression. Lithium which is a drug usually used for those suffering from bipolar disorder to alleviate the mood swings can over the long term cause hypothyroidism especially in older women. It can then also cause depression which is what the medication was prescribed for in the first place. Yet, if the person is bipolar that medication must be given. It just shows how complicated treating depression can be.

Avoid telling them that it is all in their minds or that if they just stopped feeling sorry for themselves it would all go away. This is a simplistic view of depression and completely wrong. Asking someone if they have been reading the bible or praying for relief from their depression is more than useless. A person’s religious beliefs are private and not likely to save them from a depressive episode.

Telling someone that they do not look depressed is a meaningless statement. What is someone supposed to look like when they are depressed? Asking a woman if she is suffering from PMS is also out of line. Would a man be asked such a ridiculous question? Why do people insist on telling someone having a depressive episode that they are merely having a bad day or that smiling more would make things better for them? How come people do not have the sensitivity to see that the person is having a problem that mere smiling will not cure.

Then there are those who assume that buying something will solve all the problems the depressive is dealing with. How many times have they been told to buy themselves a new outfit, or a box of chocolates or some other totally inane suggestion that will make a material purchase solve a chemical imbalance? Then there are those that will suggest going out for a good meal or to a movie to cheer them up. They do not require cheering up but some understanding from their peers would be a nice bonus.

Others think that something to fill the time will be a big help and suggest that getting a boyfriend/girlfriend, a hobby or a puppy will solve everything. But when someone is in a depressive state the last thing they want to do is become involved with new people or new responsibilities.

Suggesting to someone that all they require is a little exercise, a walk in the fresh air or perhaps a cup of chamomile tea is also of no help. If it were that simple all the depressives in the world would be cured in moments. Still another irritating line is telling someone that nobody is responsible for their depression. What is that supposed to mean? Depressives do not blame others for their problems but understand that it is caused by a chemical imbalance that can be helped with certain medications and sometimes with counseling. It’s too bad all the know-it-alls do not know that as well.

First and foremost, constant feelings of sadness or irritability may denote a case of depression. This symptom should be present whether or not there are any actual problems within the individual’s life. People with clinical depression may also show a decreased level of enthusiasm when it comes to participating in the everyday activities that the individual normally loves. A lack of energy may also pervade in the depressed individual as a result of the disorder, causing the individual to feel tired for no reason whatsoever. Changes in appetite may also be present in someone who is depressed; they may feel that they have no appetite whatsoever, or an overly eccentric appetite. As a result of this symptom, significant weight gain or weight loss may be present once depression has been occurring for a while. Sleeping patterns are also affected by depression. A depressed individual will likely have trouble sleeping at regular intervals, or they may have trouble getting up in the morning. Depressed individuals are also likely to do their best to avoid making decisions in their lives. They may feel worthless, and that their living situation is a hopeless one that has no merit. Individuals may begin to feel so hopeless about their condition that they feel that suicide is a viable option, making depression a problem that can clearly have negative effects on a person’s wellbeing.

If you feel that some of the symptoms that are listed above apply to you, you may want to consider speaking to a doctor or a psychologist in order to accurately assess your problem. Many people shy away from visiting doctors for a case of depression, either because they feel too ashamed that they are unable to handle the problem on their own without any help or they feel that they don’t have a problem that can be helped by medicine. On the contrary, there are many ways of treating depression that can be helpful in bringing a person back to feeling good about life and having energy. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a type of medication that can help those with depression by ensuring that their brain is getting the types of neurotransmitters that are necessary for a person to feel happiness. Therapy can also be useful in helping someone to relieve their feelings of depression by being able to speak to someone about the things that weigh upon their mind. Depression is not a problem that often goes away on its own — treating it requires dedication and the willingness to accept the fact that you may not be responsible for the problem. Your health is your responsibility, and your mental health is no exception.

Many researchers categorize depression in three distinctive classifications. These are melancholic depression, non-melancholic depression and psychotic depression. Some will add atypical depression as a forth category. They are explained as follows. A melancholic depression, melancholic meaning to cause or communicate a feeling of sadness, is an uncommon type of depression affecting no more than two percent of depressives. It is suffered equally among those men and women who are depressives. The primary symptoms are severe episodes of depression accompanied by psychomotor disturbance. That is slow or nervous movements that go together with the ability to comprehend and use their intellectual aptitude. This type of depression almost never goes away by itself. It responds well to medication but only mildly to counseling.

Non-melancholic depression affects twenty five percent of women and seventeen percent of men. It is believed to be not of a biological nature but is caused by an outside circumstance and is the most common type of depression. The cause may be a loss, stress or something similar. The primary symptoms are a prolong mood of depression lasting more than two weeks and a problem handling social entanglements, work or school. Fortunately this type of depression will often self correct as the person deals with the issue or issues that have been the cause. This depression also reacts well to both medication and counseling. Psychotic depression is even more uncommon than melancholic depression. All aspects of which are considered very severe. This includes the depressive episodes, psychomotor disturbance and delusional feelings often accompanied by hallucinations. This type of depression almost never self corrects but it does react well to medication. The final category is atypical depression. Atypical itself means not typical, not the norm and that describes the various symptoms that accompany this form of depression. Those suffering from it often have an increase in their appetites and may eat enough to put weight on. Instead of being insomniacs they will sleep more than normal. They also suffer with an increased sensitivity to how others deal with them, called hypersensitivity.

Understand that feeling depressed after losing a spouse is a reasonable and normal reaction for any person. But it shouldn’t be a long-term feeling. The person must be able to move on. It’s when they cannot that they are suffering from depression and this depression must be treated. For someone older depression can be a health issue in a way that it’s not for a younger person. It can have adverse affects on the senior’s immune system. This can mean that the depressed senior is more likely to become ill and not be able to fight it off. How many times have you heard about someone, married for forty plus years that loses a spouse and shortly after passes away from an illness that didn’t seem serious?

Like most kinds of depression older women are more likely to be affected especially because they are already dealing with all the hormonal changes that they continue to go through. Women have so many things to deal with and usually so many others who rely on them. They too need people to be there to offer them some support. Sadly women who have lost their spouses or never married are the ones most likely to suffer from episodes of depression as seniors. Depression can surface with seniors who have medical issues to deal with. Common problems of seniors include hip fractures, heart and stroke issues, and slow recoveries. These too can be a cause of depression.

Seniors do not always get the care they should when they are dealing with depression. Too often it is brushed aside as a natural symptom of growing old. People assume its just a grouchy old man’s, or woman’s, attitude. They look at it as a natural passing from old age to senility. None of this is true. A person of any age suffering from depression needs help. Seniors can be helped the same as anyone else dealing with issues of depression. There are medications for depression and these can be given to seniors with the same success rate as with anyone else as long as you can convince them to take them daily. Unfortunately seventy percent of seniors are inclined to take their medication only fifty percent of the time.

– Hereditary is largely responsible for the occurrence of depression. Some estimates place approximately forty to seventy percent of all cases of major depression as being cause by heredity.

– Those who are victim to low self esteem and a low self image are more likely to develop a case of depression. It’s tough for psychologists to determine which comes first, but there is a definite connection between the two.

– Unfortunately, depression is a type of affliction that affects women more than it does men. Studies place the likelihood of a man of developing a case of depression at approximately twelve percent. Women, on the other hand, are expected to experience bouts of clinical depression throughout their lives at a rate of approximately twenty to twenty five percent. Therefore, being a female puts you at a much greater chance of falling victim to depression.

– Age is another factor to be considered when assessing one’s likelihood of becoming depressed. Most bouts of depression occur between the ages of twenty and fifty, although there is the possibility of depression developing outside of this age range.

– Surprisingly, one’s diet can also effect their likelihood of developing depression. Doctors and dietitians have combined studies that have shown that those who do not get enough Omega-3 fatty acids are more likely to be depressed. Omega-3 fatty acids are compounds that are found in several different foods, but are found in concentrated doses in fish.

– When one lives with someone who is depressed, they are much more likely to become depressed themselves due to the increased anxiety that they face within the home.

– Traumatic experiences early in life can definitely increase one’s possibility of developing depression later on in life. Abuse, rejection, and neglect can all manifest in depression when not fully resolved.

– Postpartum depression is another aspect of depression to be considered. Between ten and fifteen percent of all women experience bouts of postpartum depression after a pregnancy. It usually onsets approximately three months post-birth, and it may last for several months before it begins to dissipate.

While there are some aspects of life that can put you at more of a risk for a case of clinical depression and there isn’t a thing that you can do about it, there are some things that you can do within your life to decrease your likelihood of developing depression. It’s no lie that depression affects a large portion of the population, but with proper preventative measures and definite treatments if the problem occurs, it’s easily beatable. If you think that you may be facing an issue with clinical depression, you should speak to a doctor or psychologist as soon as you can before the problems begin to affect your life to a significant degree.