Women, Victims of Major Depression

Who are the people most affected by depression? Without a doubt, women are the ones who are most affected by depression. They are twice as likely as men to develop depressive episodes. They are also at increased risk if they are divorced or unemployed.

Depression Affects More Women Than Men

The main victims of depression are women. And that is not linked to specific living conditions of women (lower wages or life expectancy...). The observation is true even if one adjusts for risk factors such as age, employment status and educational levels. The fact remains that a woman is two times more likely to experience depression than men.

The reasons for women's depression

First, it should be noted that the gap between men and women is false: Men are actually more affected by depression than the figures show. The depressive syndrome is underestimated in men, who are less likely to recognize depression and even less likely to consult on this ground. But even considering this bias, it is clear that there is a greater vulnerability in women.

Living in Couple Protects Against Depression

Having a shoulder to lean against makes it possible to face the storms. Thus we see an evolution of risk based on marital status: a married person is less likely to experience depression than someone who is single. And among single people, those who are the most likely to have a major depressive episode are those who are divorced or widowed. It is important to note that men are more affected by widowhood, and women by the breakdown of a relationship.

How to Treat Depression

Depression is a treatable disease. To get rid of depression, you must necessarily drugs (antidepressants). Many falsely believe that we must choose between psychotherapy and medication. On the contrary, the two complement each other: medication and psychotherapy work together against depression.

The treatment of depression takes time. Experts believe that it takes at least six months to get cured of depression. You may still relapse beyond this period. And if you've been depressed once in your life, you would not like a relapse. The key to successfully defeating depression is to ensure proper adherence.

Effective Treatment for Depression

With treatment, you will feel better fairly quickly, usually after a couple of weeks of antidepressant treatment. In about two months, however, you may relapse. It is therefore essential to complete your treatment, even if you are well, for several months or years. Treatment failures are very rare. Sometimes it is necessary to try several antidepressants to find the one that suits you.

Your entourage is an indispensable complement to the success of treatment: do not hesitate to lean on your family, your friends, your spouse, talk to them about your illness. It is very helpful if your doctor knows your family and involves them in your management. Most of the time depressed patients are not hospitalized. Yet it is sometimes necessary when depression is severe, especially when the relationships with close people become tense or when there is a high suicidal risk.

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