Skip to main content

Depression In Women

one person consoles another one who is upset

Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects 23% of adults (60 million people) in the U.S. each year. While women are more likely than men to seek treatment, feelings of embarrassment and shame may still keep them from considering counseling.

At least half of women cite denial as a barrier to treatment. It is important to remember that depression is a treatable condition - and it can occur in any woman, at any time, and for various reasons regardless of age, race or income.

  • Many biological factors may contribute to depression in women, such as family history, the way your body’s cells communicate, hormones, and other health problems.
  • Social factors may also lead to higher rates of clinical depression among women, including stress from family responsibilities and increased rates of sexual abuse, domestic abuse, and poverty.

Finding effective medication and therapy options are important parts of treating depression. Certain types of depression are unique to women depending on their stage of life. For this reason, it is important to consider these hormonal and life changes when treating depression in women.

Fortunately, clinical depression is a very treatable condition. Sixty-five percent of people with depression will have a full remission of the disorder with effective treatment.

Did this article help increase your knowledge and understanding of mental health?

Take a Mental Health Test

If you are a new or expecting parent struggling with your mental health, you can take this Postpartum Depression Test or another mental health test at mhascreening.org. These mental health tests are anonymous, free, and private. It only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results.

Take a screen

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

This content created with support from Sage Therapeutics and Biogen.

Sage Biogen logo