Depression in women is far more common than it is in men. Women are nearly twice as likely to suffer from depression than the opposite sex, with specific points in life being more at risk. The highest risk times in a woman's life include puberty, pregnancy and menopause, all times when there is a major upheaval in her hormone levels.

Most people think that to be depressed a person is despondent, or has feelings of gloom and perhaps has suicidal feelings. But, depression signs can range from just being tired with no energy or feeling down or sad. If you have another illness it can sometimes compound the problem. If you don't feel well to begin with depressive symptoms can be much worse.

Some attribute this change to the demands of work and motherhood, but as discussed in my last post, working women and working mothers are happier. Research shows that work outside the home provides stimulation and another identity that protects against depression.

Post-natal depression

This type of depression in women occurs several months after giving birth. This condition is due to drastic changes in lifestyle, constant dependence on other people, and sense of increase responsibility. What happens is that first-time and young mothers find it difficult to do certain things that motherhood brings the right way and more quickly, such as new responsibility of nursing their child.

Insomnia is often associated with depression. Others may want to sleep all the time. It is harder to stay focused when you are getting too much sleep or not enough sleep. Everyone is different and each person will deal with depression in their own way.

When you have been working double shift she understands why you need to cancel your planned dinner and asked you take all the rest you need to recover from those late nights at work. If your girlfriend understands that some things should come first then she is contented and secure in your affair because she is willing to be considerate for the greater good of your relationship.

If she lets on to feeling worthless, or confesses to feeling guilty for no reason whatever. Society generally puts far more of a strain on women than it does men. Women are bombarded by television and innumerable magazines of these 'perfect' creatures, slim and always sunny natured, immaculate even after being knee deep in manure in the garden, without a hair out of place.

Disrupted sleep patterns could also signal that something is out of place, especially if a woman suddenly begins sleeping more than usual, and without any logical explanation. A sudden change in eating habits is yet another possible indicator, but you need to remember that unlike men, women tend to eat more when they are depressed, rather than less.

Atypical Depression is marked by mood reactivity with an elevated mood when good things happen. Increased eating occurs along with an increase in your weight. Too much sleeping and sensitivity to being rejected may also occur. More sensitivity in interpersonal relationships, chronic dysphoria- feeling intense hopelessness is possible.

Women are unique entities and there are biological, hormonal and social factors that may explain the higher incidence of depressive disorders amongst this group. Women are particular susceptible to depression in the weeks after childbirth due to physical and hormonal changes.

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