Women most susceptible to depression: Experts

Psychiatrists say that studies have shown that the burden of depression is 50 per cent higher in females than males. They add that a number of hormonal changes make them more vulnerable — from menstruation, childbirth to menopause.  Apart from these, women tend to get into depression as they are often self-sacrificing and also as a result of domestic violence, which is common in a country like India. Dr M Thirunavukarasu, a renowned city-based psychiatrist, says that even some physical complaints like arthritis, which are psychosomatic (physical illness or a condition triggered or aggravated by a mental factor), are more among women.

Different manifestation The experts also say that suicide is largely related to depression, but while there is a high number of suicide attempts among women, suicide deaths are higher among men. They add that this is largely due to women’s concern for their children and family. However, the manifestation of the disorder differs between men and women. 

Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, psychiatrist, WHO Consultant and founder of Sneha, a suicide prevention helpline, says, “Women have crying spells and tend to withdraw, while men take to alcohol and become more irritable or aggressive. Similarly, among adolescent girls, depression gets expressed in the form of a few cuts and they tend to talk about it to friends, while boys will drive rashly.” She also points out that women are more open about discussing emotional issues, when compared to men. “This is also because men think it isn’t macho to feel emotionally helpless. And among women, a majority of depression cases happen around menopause and there is some knowledge about hormonal issues by then,” she adds.

Dr Thirunavukarasu says that any untreated case, partially treated case or improperly treated case of depression can lead to suicide. He adds that depressive feeling is different from depressive disorder. “People commit suicide as a result of depressive disorder. Depressive disorder is self-limiting with a cycle of changes in behaviour. These are usually ignored by family and friends. Society overlooks symptoms, unless it creates a problem. The two suicides could be a result of negligence on part of the people around them,” he explains. 

In most cases, telling signs like sleep issues, loss of appetite and lack of interest in life or anything pleasurable is first reported to a general physician. Dr R Balakrishnan, Professor and HOD, Department of Psychiatry, Sri Ramachandra Medical College, says, “They don’t think they need to see a psychiatrist in the beginning. The GP refers them to a psychiatrist, only after tests reveal everything is normal in the body.”

WHO states that the burden of depression is 50% higher for females than males and Indians are reported to be among the world’s most depressed. The influence of female hormones during the reproductive years contributes to the premenstrual dysphoric syndrome, depression during pregnancy, postpartum depression. Depression is also an important consequence of domestic violence, which affects between one-quarter and over one-half of women at some point in their lives.