A Quick Glimpse at Depression in Women

Dubbed as a ?woman?s illness?, the incidence of depression in men pales in comparison to the prevalence of the mood disorder in women, psychiatry experts say.? Government statistics shows that 5.4 percent of all people beyond the age of 12 in the United States have depression, with 6.7 percent represented by women.

Several factors contribute to the increased incidence of depression in women, according to experts.? These may include premenstrual problems, pregnancy and infertility, postpartum depression, and menopause.? Higher rates of sexual abuse, eating disorders, and poverty have also been attributed to the greater risk of depression in women.

For many women who may have been battling the condition for a certain period, antidepressants may be part of their daily menu. However, the course of things may change as soon as a woman with depression becomes pregnant.? Along with psychological therapy, medications have been the first-line treatment of the mood disorder.? However, certain antidepressants such as Zoloft have been linked to adverse effects not only in pregnant women, but as well as to their babies.? These adverse effects include congenital deficiencies which have been the subject of most?lawsuits related to Zoloft birth defects.

In dealing with depression during pregnancy, mental health experts encourage women with less severe symptoms to a non-medicated approach to potentially reduce the risk of adverse effects from drug treatment.? Women with severe depressive symptoms including suicidal thoughts, on the other hand, may be required to stay on their medication.

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Sources:

everydayhealth.com/health-report/major-depression/women-and-depression.aspx

helpguide.org/mental/depression_women.htm

webmd.com/baby/pregnancy-and-antidepressants

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Source: http://www.juvanshealthlawupdate.com/health-news/a-quick-glimpse-at-depression-in-women/

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