Mood Disorders: The Effects Of Depression On Women

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Depression is a mood disorder that often causes someone to feel sad and uninterested in things that they were previously interested in. Depression affects how you behave, feel, and think. It can lead to a series of different emotional and physical issues. You may have trouble doing the most simple and normal activities, and sometimes you may even get to the point where you feel as if life isn't worth living. Contrary to popular belief, depression is considered an illness or disorder, not just the random sadness that pops up. Without treatment, depression can last months and sometimes even years, and for some can even begin to bring in thoughts of suicide. When treating depression, the goal is to reduce suffering, improve the quality of life, …show more content…
When discussin depression, most people immediately think of its effects on women. Depression in men is often overlooked and surpassed due to the fact that very few men are comfortable sharing their feelings with people around them, including doctors and psychiatrists. Men tend to be more cautious and less vulnerable than women. By thinking of themselves as strong and in control of their emotions, men often try to deny and cover up their depression. Because of this, there are more records of women being depressed than men. One of the main causes of depression in men is genes. Genetic causation lies in the fact that depression runs in families and can be passed down unintentionally. People whose relatives that have suffered from depression are more likely to also become depressed at least once in their lives. Genetic causation of depression can either stem from chemicals in the brain or from hormones. Serotonin and norepinephrine are neurotransmitters in the brain that help us respond to feelings of happiness and stress. According to WebMD, serotonin plays a vital role in the prevention of …show more content…
Because of the widespread distribution of its cells, it is believed to influence a variety of psychological and other body functions. Of the approximately 40 million brain cells, most are influenced either directly or indirectly by serotonin. This includes brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behavior. There are many researchers who believe that an imbalance in serotonin levels may influence mood in a way that leads to depression. Possible problems include low brain cell production of serotonin, a lack of receptor sites able to receive the serotonin that is made, inability of serotonin to reach the receptor sites, or a shortage in tryptophan, the chemical from which serotonin is made. If any of these biochemical glitches occur, researchers believe it can lead to depression, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic, and even excess anger. (Bouchez,
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