Where Do Broken Hearts Go: Depression in Women

Derek H. Suite, M.D.

Women, in general-- and especially those with mental disorders-- have been discriminated against and stigmatized worldwide throughout history.

FACTS

• Approximately 12 million women in the United States experience clinical depression each year.
• About one in every eight women can expect to develop clinical depression during their lifetime.
• Depression occurs most frequently in women aged 25 to 44.

FACTORS

• Many factors in women may contribute to depression, such as developmental, reproductive, hormonal, genetic and other biological differences (e.g. premenstrual syndrome, childbirth, infertility, and menopause).
• 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, and increased rates of sexual abuse and poverty.

https://www.mhanational.org/depression-women