Statistically, 1 in every 8 women can expect to develop clinical depression at some point in their life.
Consider yourself, your mother, and five girl friends…
1 in every 8 women? That’s alot.
Women are twice as likely than men to experience depression, although the exact reason for that is not known. There are also certain symptoms of depression that women are more likely to experience than men, such as gaining weight and sleeping more. This is called atypical depression and is when the symptoms are the opposite of symptoms from regular depression. Women are more likely to have atypical depression than men.
Research has shown that women may be more vulnerable to depression because of hormonal changes and imbalances throughout our lifetime, particularly after giving birth. But not all depression is postpartum. Some depression can be discovered or even brought on by PMDD.
There are different types of depression, some which women are more susceptible to such as seasonal affective disorder, which is when the winter months cause depression because of the lower amount of sunlight.
Women are more likely to attempt suicide than men, but men are more likely to succeed.
There are many ways of dealing with depression, such self help tips, medication, seeking counseling and even psychotherapy. There are many online tests that help you determine if you have symptoms of depression, but the best way to find out is to talk to your doctor and explain how you are feeling.
What's the Skinny on Women's Health? 
I’ve learned about this first-hand. At the time I had no clue on how to get that person help. Education is the key!
I think that understanding depression is essential, whether or not it stems from hormonal changes, or results from trauma in one’s life, or just comes on out of the blue. I think seeking counseling to understand the possible “cause” of your own depression, and/or depressive state is the first step to helping you recover from this disease. The feeling of knowing something is “not quite right,” is a difficult thing to express and explain to those around you. Seeking medical input is helpful. I loved the article.
Psychotherapy is indeed “care of the soul,” and we use this term to remind us, as therapists and clients, that this is the goal of our work. There are many schools of thought, many theories, and many beliefs about what heals the soul.
Depression is a horrid experience but it can be explained, understood and put where it belongs…in the past. Expand, expand, expand…that is the key!
David http://www.davidgcoles.wordpress.com