Why are Women More Prone to Depression Than Men?

And what can one do to cope with depression effectively, before it's too late

24 March, 2021

Why are Women More Prone to Depression Than Men?

A few days ago, the death of wrestler Ritika Phogat due to alleged suicide took us all by surprise but what was shocking about the whole incident was that her defeat at a tournament triggered depression, which many thought was the reason for her alleged suicide. According to a recent survey by NIMHANS and the Government of India, one in four women suffered from depression while one in seven men suffered from Depression. You may ask why is there this gender gap in depression?

Dr Prerna Kohli, founder MindTribe.in and a clinical psychologist, says, “In our clinic, we see more women who suffer from depression, while more men suffer more from issues such as self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse, and uncontrolled anger. While these appear to be typical gender stereotypes, nevertheless, these are true. One Study conducted found that these gender differences appeared from ages 12 onwards, with more girls prone to depression in their teens than boys.”

Why are women more susceptible to depression?

Depression in women usually coincides with their peak reproductive years, thus underlining the role of hormones in contributing to depression in women. “Estrogen and progesterone have been shown to affect neuroendocrine, and circadian systems that have been implicated in mood disorders. Interestingly pre-puberty both boys and girls are at an equal risk of depression, during puberty girls exhibit a higher tendency towards depression, researchers attribute this to changing hormones. Women are at higher risk of depression at several key milestones in their hormonal life-cycle i.e. during puberty, prior to menstruation, following pregnancy and at perimenopause, implies that female hormonal changes may be a trigger for depression,” explains Dr Prerna.

However, she further explains that biological differences are not the only contributors to depression in women. The female gender is more receptive to external emotional triggers. “In a study conducted on fraternal twins, it was seen that women displayed more sensitivity to interpersonal relationships, whereas men displayed more sensitivity to external career and goal-oriented factors. This may make women more susceptible to emotional triggers and changes, but it could also mean that depression may manifest itself differently in both men and women,” adds Dr Prerna.

What can women do to cope with depression?

The ways women cope with depression is different from the way men handle it. While the latter may seek distraction, women tend to internalise their problems, this puts them at a higher risk for depression. “Women who are homemakers can often feel isolated and career women may feel overwhelmed if they have careers and homes to manage. This at times, trigger depression in them,” explains Dr Prerna. She lists effective ways to deal with depression before it gets too late.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Support: Sometimes we feel alone, even in family setups. Make sure, you have a support system of friends you can reach out to anytime. Invest in long term friendships and make sure that you also offer support to them when they need it. Many times we can find meaning in helping each other.

Live Mindfully: Sticking to a routine will help calm your body and mind. Make sure to get enough sleep so you don’t have fatigue, eat healthy and stay away from too much fat and sugar, as these can be triggers as well. Nutrition plays a vital role in helping stave off depression. Studies have shown that diets low in zinc can trigger depression, so make sure you have a balanced diet. Ensure you get enough exercise. The latter is a natural anti-depressant and releases endorphins. Have a favourite morning, or sleep time ritual that you can use as a ‘me time’.

Nip Negativity in the Bud: Continuously focusing on depressing thoughts can make your mood worse. Learn to control the negative thoughts as they start coming in. This will take effort and will slowly become better with time. Dr Prerna recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which can alter common patterns of negative thinking called cognitive distortions.

Here are a few helpline numbers that one can reach out for help:

Sneha Foundation for Mental Health:

044 24640050

Mitram Suicide Helpline

080-25722573

Nimhans

080 46110007

I Call - Mental Health Helpline

022 25521111

I Call Mental Health by TISS

+91 5298 7821

Swasthi Counselling Helpline