Depression & Women:
National Depression Screening Day is
October 6th

Contrary to popular belief, depression is not a normal part of being a woman nor is it a female weakness. Depression is a serious medical illness that affects more than 12 million American women each year. For women, depression occurs most frequently in ages 25 to 44, although it can occur in any woman, at any time, and for various reasons regardless of age, race or socioeconomic status.

Contributing Factors
• Many factors in women may contribute to depression, such as developmental, reproductive, hormonal, genetic and other biological differences
• Social factors may also lead to higher rates of clinical depression among women, including stress from work, family responsibilities, the roles and expectations of women, sexual abuse and poverty.

Gender Differences
• Women experience depression at roughly twice the rate of men.
• Girls 14–18 years of age have consistently higher rates of depression than boys in this age group.

PMS/PMDD
• Twenty to forty percent of women may experience premenstrual syndrome and an estimated 3–5 percent have symptoms severe enough to be classified as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

Marriage/Childbirth
• Married people have a lower rate of depression than those living alone; however, unhappily married people have the highest rates of depression.
• Approximately 10%–15% of all new mothers get postpartum depression, which most frequently occurs within the first year after child birth.

Co-occurring Illnesses
• Research shows a strong relationship between eating disorders and depression in women.
• Research shows that one out of three depressed people also suffers from some form of substance abuse or dependence.

Treatment
Fortunately, clinical depression is a very treatable illness. More than 80% of people with depression can be treated successfully with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. However, being diagnosed and seeking help can be the hardest steps. Depression in women is misdiagnosed approximately 30–50 percent of the time and fewer than half of the women who experience clinical depression will ever seek care.

Depression Screenings
Whether for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or depression - health screenings provide a quick and easy way to spot the first signs of serious illness and can reach people who might not otherwise seek professional medical advice. Like screenings for other illnesses, depression screenings should be a routine part of healthcare. National Depression Screening Day is held on October 6th this year during Mental Illness Awareness Week. Screening Day is designed to call attention to the illness of depression, educate the public about its symptoms and effective treatments, offer individuals the opportunity to be screened for depression, and connect those in need of treatment to the mental health care system.

Why Should Women Screen for Depression?
• Approximately 12 million women in the United States experience clinical depression each year.
• Clinical depression is a serious medical illness.
• Clinical depression can lead to suicide.
• Sometimes people with depression mistakenly believe that the symptoms of depression are a “normal part of life.”
• One in four women will experience depression at some point during their lifetime.
• Two thirds of those suffering from the illness do not seek the necessary treatment.
• Depression can co-occur and complicate other medical conditions.
• More than 80% of all cases of clinical depression can be effectively treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
• Screenings are often the first step in getting help.

What Is a Depression Screening Like?
Attendees at screening programs, which are free and confidential,
• hear an educational session on depression;
• complete a written screening test;
• discuss the results with a mental health professional;
• and, if necessary, learn where to go for additional help.

Who Should Attend a Depression Screening?
People suffering from depression often experience some of these key symptoms*:
• A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
• Sleeping too much or not being able to sleep enough
• Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
• Restlessness or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Thoughts of death or suicide

For more information on depression screenings in your area, please visit The Mental Health Association in North Carolina online at www.mha-nc.org and find an affiliate in your area, or call 800-897-7494.

Screenings are not a professional diagnosis. Screenings point out the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and provide a referral for further evaluation if needed. You should see your doctor or a qualified mental health professional if you experience five or more of these symptoms for longer than two weeks or if the symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine.